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Dropwise Condensation: Experiments

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Dropwise Condensation on Inclined Textured Surfaces

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology ((BRIEFSTHERMAL))

Abstract

Experimental determination of the heat transfer coefficient during dropwise condensation is a difficult task because of the many intricacies involved. The driving temperature difference is small, essentially resulting in a high heat transfer coefficient. Further, uncertainties associated with the microscale substructure of contact line shapes and motions, dynamic temperature variations below the condensing drops, effect of roughness and inhomogeneity of the substrate structure, control of true boundary conditions, microscale instrumentation, and transport dynamics of coalescence, merger, wipe-off, renucleation cycles, and the leaching rates of the promoter layer add to the difficulty in conducting repeatable experiments. Very high heat transfer rates (and therefore a very low temperature differential) coupled with the above factors also hinder generation of repeatable experimental data. Consequently, many conflicting experimental results have been published over the years, some results showing considerable scatter.

In the present chapter, experiments on creating textured surfaces for dropwise condensation and the measurement of heat transfer coefficient are reviewed. Details of the experimental set-up and preparation of a chemically textured nonwetting surface for observation of dropwise condensation of water vapor underneath a horizontal and an inclined substrate are reported. Chemical texturing of glass is achieved by silanation using octyl-decyl-tri-chloro-silane (C18H37C13Si) in a chemical vapor deposition process. Experimental results of condensation patterns and the corresponding predictions of numerical simulation for water vapor are compared. The prediction of the model is in fair agreement with the experimental data of condensation of water vapor. Average heat flux as a function of degree of subcooling for water and mercury are compared. Although, there is some discrepancy in the data obtained, major phenomena related to dropwise condensation underneath horizontal substrates are well-simulated by the mathematical model.

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  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, UP, India

    Sameer Khandekar & Krishnamurthy Muralidhar

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  1. Sameer Khandekar
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Khandekar, S., Muralidhar, K. (2014). Dropwise Condensation: Experiments. In: Dropwise Condensation on Inclined Textured Surfaces. SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology(). Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8447-9_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8447-9_4

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