Dropwise Condensation of Steam on a Small Tube Bundle at Turbine Condenser Conditions

• Published in: Experimental heat transfer Vol. 13; no. 2; pp. 89 - 105
• Main Authors: MCNEIL, D. A, BURNSIDE, B. M, CUTHBERTSON, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Informa UK Ltd 01.04.2000; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Heat transfer; Theoretical studies. Data and constants. Metering; Condenser; Tube bundle; Instrumentation; Drop condensation; Heat transfer coefficient; Experimental study; Performance; Water vapor; Heat transfer
• ISSN: 0891-6152; 1521-0480
• DOI: 10.1080/089161500269481

Application of dropwise condensation to utility turbine condensers is investigated by comparing the thermal performance of dropwise and filmwise bundles at industrially relevant conditions. Steam and steam-air mixtures were condensed on bundles of in-line, titanium tubes. The row-by-row heat transfer coefficients are presented against bundle position. They show the expected behavior for filmwise condensation but demonstrate a different one for dropwise. In air-free steam, the dropwise heat transfer coefficients are much larger and do not vary significantly with bundle position. In air-steam mixtures the dropwise values decrease similarly to their filmwise equivalents. The findings are in accord with those found for other geometries. The findings indicate that significant reductions in condenser size can be obtained if permanent dropwise condensation can be produced at industrially relevant conditions.