I was reviewing the test data
http://www.nyteknik.se/incoming/article3303688.ece/BINARY/Temperature+data+Ecat+test+Oct+28+%28xls%29
for the 1 MW system and it looks like there is a problem with the reporting of
water captured at the beginning of the run. The time stated for the test
period is 12:30 through 18:00 on page 2 of the file
http://www.nyteknik.se/incoming/article3303693.ece/BINARY/Report+Ecat+Oct28+%28pdf%29.
It is not possible for the water to be vaporized at the start of the test
period of 12:30 because the temperature is measured at 92.9 C. It is highly
unlikely that this reading has a significant error since the location of the
thermocouple is in the lower pipe heading toward the dissipaters and would be
immersed in water at this time.
The temperature reading continues to be below boiling until approximately 12:35
when it reaches 100.2 C. There is a five minute period during which water
would be flowing through the ECATs and into the steam pipes. During this 5
minute period, I would expect (675.6 liters/hour * 1 hour/60 minutes * 5
minutes = 56.3 liters) of water to be captured by the water trap. The report
states that only 5 liters of water was captured during the entire test period.
This figure does not make sense when the document points out that to be
conservative all of the water is collected and measured.
It would seem unusual for all of the water following this 5 minute time period
to be vaporized as well, at least until the temperature becomes somewhat
elevated. Does anyone have a reference that suggests that the important test
time period was estimated? All I can find is that the total water vaporized is
calculated fairly precisely at 3716 liters. This level is accurately
calculated by taking the input flow rate 675.6 liters/hour and multiplying by
5.5 hours.
I wanted to point out this discrepancy so that other members of the Vortex can
indicate my error or verify the problem.
Dave
