Dropwise condensation phenomena

✍ Scribed by David G. Wilkins; Leroy A. Bromley

• Publisher: American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• Year: 1973
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 819 KB
• Volume: 19
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0001-1541
• DOI: 10.1002/aic.690190424

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Dropwise condensation of water vapor on long vertical tubes was investigated as to in situ cleaning and promoting techniques for a variety of tube materials.

Excess promoter on the tube surface significantly reduces heat transfer but appears to be slowly removed by draining.

Measured steamside heat transfer coefficients for copper, gold, Admiralty, Cu‐Ni 90‐10, and Monel tubes are adequately correlated by the theory of Mikic (1969) modifide to include the effect of wall thickness.

A photographic study revealed that falling drops are elongated into rivulets on long vertical surfaces. Short (< 65 mm) rivulets and small, barely visible drops over most of the area are evidence of excellent dropwise condensation.