Intensive literature review of condensation inside smooth and enhanced tubes

• Published in: International journal of heat and mass transfer Vol. 52; no. 15; pp. 3409 - 3426
• Main Authors: Dalkilic, A.S., Wongwises, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Air conditioning. Ventilation; Applied sciences; Condensation heat transfer; Condensation pressure drop; Devices using thermal energy; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Enhanced tube; Exact sciences and technology; Heat pumps; Heat transfer enhancement; Heating, air conditioning and ventilation; Refrigerating engineering; Refrigerating engineering. Cryogenics. Food conservation; Review; Smooth tube; Techniques, equipment. Control. Metering; Techniques. Materials; Condensation heat transfer; Heat transfer enhancement; Review; Smooth tube; Condensation pressure drop; Enhanced tube; Air conditioning; Flow regime; Pressure drop; Void fraction; Refrigeration; Condensation; Heat transfer
• ISSN: 0017-9310; 1879-2189
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2009.01.011

This paper presents a detailed review of research work on in-tube condensation in the literature due to its significance in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump applications. The heat transfer performance of heat exchangers can be improved by heat transfer enhancement techniques, such as active and passive techniques. Passive techniques requiring fluid additives or special surface geometries are mentioned in depth, by comparison with active techniques requiring external forces, e.g. electrical field, acoustic or surface vibration, etc., in the paper due to their common usage in condensation applications. In addition, the importance of usage of hydrocarbons instead of fluorocarbons is emphasised. This paper can not only be used as the starting point for the researcher interested in in-tube condensation process, but it also includes new investigations on condensation inside tubes.