scholarly journals Dropwise Condensation Mechanism on Smooth Hydrophilic Surfaces

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 9184
Author(s):  
Shahab Bayani Ahangar ◽  
Kyung-Bon Lee ◽  
Chang Kyoung Choi

The objective of this work is to identify the mechanism of dropwise condensation on a smooth solid surface. We investigate the stable dropwise condensation that occurs at a droplet growth rate of 1 µm/s in diameter on a gold-coated glass surface. Additionally, we present our observations on unstable dropwise condensation, i.e., degradation of dropwise condensation of steam on a gold surface. Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging (SPRi) is used to evaluate the existence and structure of thin films and occurrence of initial nuclei during condensation. SPRi approach used in this study has lateral resolutions of 4–10 µm, thickness resolutions of 0.1–1 nm, and temporal resolutions of 200–10,000 frames per second (FPS). Visualization of the onset of stable dropwise condensation suggests droplets form at heterogeneous nucleation sites and that no film greater than a monolayer exists on the surface before the formation of droplets. Observation of the unstable dropwise condensation of steam shows the existence of water films that are several nanometers thick between droplets. This work shows that neither the nucleation theory nor film rupture theory can individually explain the physics of dropwise condensation. Therefore, there is a need for a more comprehensive theory that can explain the mechanism of dropwise condensation.

Author(s):  
Shahab Bayani Ahangar ◽  
Kyung-Bon Lee ◽  
Chang Kyoung Choi

The objective of this work is to identify the mechanism of dropwise condensation on a smooth solid surface. We investigate the stable dropwise condensation that occurs at a droplet growth rate of 1 µm/s in diameter on a gold-coated glass surface. Additionally, we present our observations on unstable dropwise condensation, i.e., degradation of dropwise condensation of steam on a gold surface. The Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging (SPRi) approach used in this study has lateral resolutions of 4-10 µm, thickness resolutions of 0.1-1 nm, and temporal resolutions of 200-10,000 frames per second (FPS). SPRi is used to evaluate the existence and structure of thin films and occurrence of initial nuclei during condensation. Visualization of the onset of stable dropwise condensation suggests droplets form at heterogeneous nucleation sites and that no film greater than a monolayer exists on the surface before the formation of droplets. Observation of the unstable dropwise condensation of steam shows the existence of water films that are several nanometers thick between droplets. This work shows that neither the nucleation theory or film rupture theory can individually explain the physics of dropwise condensation. Therefore, there is a need for a more comprehensive theory that can explain the mechanism of dropwise condensation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahab Bayani Ahangar ◽  
Vinaykumar Konduru ◽  
Jeffrey S. Allen ◽  
Nenad Miljkovic ◽  
Seong Hyuk Lee ◽  
...  

Abstract This paper describes the fabrication and testing of a novel angle-scanning surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) instrument. The combination of two stationary mirrors and two angle-controlled mirrors provides high accuracy (up to 10−3°) and high-speed angular probing. This instrument minimizes the angle-dependent image artifact that arises due to beam walk, which is the biggest challenge for the use of SPRi with angular modulation (AM). In the work described in this paper, two linear stages were employed to minimize the image artifact by adjusting the location of the angle-controlled mirrors and the camera. The SPRi instrument was used to visualize coalescence during dropwise condensation. The results show that the effect of the environment’s temperature on reflectance was less than 1% when the incident angle was carefully chosen for SPRi with intensity modulation (IM). This means that condensation visualization can be carried out at ambient temperatures, without the need for a Peltier stage or a thermally controlled condensing surface. The concept of pixel neighboring was employed to assess the probability of noise and the standard error of thin film measurement. Experimental analyses during dropwise condensation show (1) the presence of a thin film with thickness of one monolayer, and (2) surface coverage of 0.71 m2/m2 by the thin film in the area between the droplets. In addition, analyses showed the existence of a dry area at the part of the substrate exposed by coalescence to ambient air. The results of this work undermine the validity of the film rupture theory as the dropwise condensation mechanism. Graphic abstract


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaofei Zheng ◽  
Ferdinand Eimann ◽  
Christian Philipp ◽  
Ulrich Gross

2011 ◽  
Vol 199-200 ◽  
pp. 1604-1608
Author(s):  
Yun Fu Chen

For finding influence of the condensing surface to dropwise condensation heat transfer, a fractal model for dropwise condensation heat transfer has been established based on the self-similarity characteristics of droplet growth at various magnifications on condensing surfaces with considering influence of contact angle to heat transfer. It has been shown based on the proposed fractal model that the area fraction of drops decreases with contact angle increase under the same sub-cooled temperature; Varying the contact angle changes the drop distribution; higher the contact angle, lower the departing droplet size and large number density of small droplets; dropwise condensation translates easily to the filmwise condensation at the small contact angle ;the heat flux increases with the sub-cooled temperature increases, and the greater of contact angle, the more heat flux increases slowly.


2010 ◽  
Vol 89-91 ◽  
pp. 509-514
Author(s):  
Pavel Sherstnev ◽  
Christof Sommitsch ◽  
Stefan Mitsche ◽  
Carsten Melzer

A physical model based on three types of dislocations and three nucleation sites for recrystallized grain is applied to hot rolling simulation. This model was implemented into a commercial Finite Element (FE) analysis package FORGE 2008 to calculate both the structure evolution during and the recrystallized volume fraction after hot working of aluminium alloy 5083. It is shown that the main nucleation mechanisms in the aluminium alloy are the particle stimulated nucleation (PSN) and nucleation at grain boundaries. Hence the precipitation kinetics during homogenisation was investigated by use of the thermodynamic calculation software MatCalc. To validate the simulation results hot rolling experiments were performed by means of a laboratory mill. The grain structure evolution was analysed by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD).


Author(s):  
Tim Wittmann ◽  
Christoph Bode ◽  
Jens Friedrichs

Abstract This study investigates the applicability of an Euler-Lagrange approach for the calculation of nucleation and condensation of steam flows. Supersonic nozzles are used as generic validation cases, as their high expansion rates replicate the flow conditions in real turbines. Experimental and numerical validation data for these nozzles are provided by the International Wet Steam Modelling Project of Starzmann et al. (2018). In contrast to most participants of that project, an Euler-Lagrange approach is utilized for this study. Therefore, the classical nucleation theory with corrections and different droplet growth laws is incorporated into the Discrete Phase Model of ANSYS Fluent. Suggestions for an efficient implementation are presented. The Euler-Lagrange results show a good agreement with the experimental and numerical validation data. The sensitivities of the Euler-Lagrange approach to modelling parameters are analysed. Finally, an optimal parameter set for the calculation of nucleation and condensation is proposed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Youmin Hou ◽  
Miao Yu ◽  
Xuemei Chen ◽  
Zuankai Wang

Recent advances in condensing surfaces with hybrid architectures of superhydrophobic/hydrophilic patterns allow us to decrease the nucleation energy barrier and spatially control the water condensation. However, the condensed water is susceptible to the large pinning force of the hydrophilic area, leading to an ultimate flooding. Here, we demonstrate a hierarchical nanostructured surface with patterned high wetting contrast to achieve a natural transition from filmwise-to-dropwise condensation, which reconciles the existing problems. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) indicates that the fluorinated hydrophobic coating conformably covers the nanostructures except for the tops of micropillars, which are covered by hydrophilic silicon dioxide (FIG 1), resulting in an extreme wetting contrast. Condensation on the hybrid surface was observed in the environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) and ambient conditions with controlled humidity. Water preferentially nucleates on the top of micropillars and exhibits a rapid droplet growth (FIG 2). The enhancement is attributed to the filmwise-to-dropwise transition induced by the unique architectures and wetting features of the hybrid surface (FIG 3). The water embryos initially nucleate on the hydrophilic tops and quickly grow to a liquid film covering the whole top area. Since the superhydrophobic surrounding confines the spreading of condensed water, the localized liquid film gradually transits to an isolated spherical droplet as it grows. Remarkably, the condensate morphology transition activates an unusual droplet self-propelling despite the presence of abundant hydrophilic patches. It is important to note that such coalescence-induced jumping is dependent on the size of hydrophilic patches, that is, for larger hydrophilic patches, the energy released by coalescence may not overcome the increased droplet pinning, resulting in an immobile coalescence (FIG 4). The droplet departure ensures the recurrence of filmwise-to-dropwise transition, thus prevents the water accumulation in continuous condensation. These visualizations reveal the undiscovered impact of heterogeneous wettability and architectures on the morphology transition of the condensed water, and provide important insights into the surface design and optimization for enhanced condensation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (48) ◽  
pp. 13618-13623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sooheyong Lee ◽  
Haeng Sub Wi ◽  
Wonhyuk Jo ◽  
Yong Chan Cho ◽  
Hyun Hwi Lee ◽  
...  

Solution studies have proposed that crystal nucleation can take more complex pathways than previously expected in classical nucleation theory, such as formation of prenucleation clusters or densified amorphous/liquid phases. These findings show that it is possible to separate fluctuations in the different order parameters governing crystal nucleation, that is, density and structure. However, a direct observation of the multipathways from aqueous solutions remains a great challenge because heterogeneous nucleation sites, such as container walls, can prevent these paths. Here, we demonstrate the existence of multiple pathways of nucleation in highly supersaturated aqueous KH2PO4(KDP) solution using the combination of a containerless device (electrostatic levitation), and in situ micro-Raman and synchrotron X-ray scattering. Specifically, we find that, at an unprecedentedly deep level of supersaturation, a high-concentration KDP solution first transforms into a metastable crystal before reaching stability at room temperature. However, a low-concentration solution, with different local structures, directly transforms into the stable crystal phase. These apparent multiple pathways of crystallization depend on the degree of supersaturation.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document