Submerged combustion vaporizer (SCV) is frequently applied for peaking systems of LNG receiving terminals

which both liquid flow and heat transfer characteristics of water bath on shell side of a vaporizer are key factors to determine whether the SCV could achieve high heat transfer efficiency. Influences of initial water level

volumetric flow rate and inlet temperature of flue gas on heat transfer coefficient of the water bath were investigated by visualization experiments and numerical simulation. The water bath absorbed sensible heat of the flue gas and latent heat of the steam condensation so that the temperature of outlet flue gas almost equaled to the equilibrium temperature of the water bath. Under the inductive impact of a great deal of heat transfer-generated bubbles

cycling water flows

which were formed by weir overflow in the water bath

could effectively collide tubular wall

decrease thickness of boundary layer and enhance heat transfer. The initial water level in combination with volumetric flow rate of flue gas largely affected overflow in water bath so the water bath heat transfer coefficient increased dramatically upon the occurrence of overflow. The ratio of fuel and air flow rates mainly affected inlet temperature of flue gas and the turbulent kinetic energy of water bath. In the case of smaller turbulent kinetic energy

the water bath heat transfer coefficient deceased although the inlet temperature of flue gas increased. This study can provide some scientific guidance to the design of SCV.