Global sensitivity analysis of a pure steam dropwise condensation heat transfer model

Established heat transfer models for dropwise condensation (DWC) consider wetting behavior, surface structure and nucleation dynamics to calculate the heat flux. However, model results often deviate from experiments, in part due to uncertainties of the model input parameters. In this study, we apply quantitative sensitivity analysis to a pure steam DWC heat transfer model in order to attribute the variation of the model result to its input parameters. Four scenarios with different variations of the model parameters are discussed and sensitivity coefficients for each parameter are calculated. Our results show a high sensitivity of the model result towards the coating thickness, the contact angle and the nucleation site density, underlining the need to accurately determine these parameters in DWC experiments.

Droplet sweeping to enhance heat transfer during dropwise condensation

It is well known that dropwise condensation (DWC) can achieve heat transfer coefficients (HTCs) up to 5-8 times higher as compared to filmwise condensation (FWC). The interaction between the condensing fluid and the surface defines the condensation mode. Coatings that present low surface energy and high droplet mobility are a solution to promote DWC instead of FWC on metallic substrates. In the present paper, the effect of vapor velocity during DWC has been investigated over a sol-gel coated aluminum surface and a graphene oxide coated copper surface. Heat transfer coefficients and droplets departing radii have been measured at constant saturation temperature and heat flux, with average vapor velocity ranging between 3 m s−1 and 11 m s−1. A recent method developed by the present authors to account for the effect of vapor velocity on the droplet departing radius is here presented. The results of the proposed method, when coupled with the Miljkovic et al. [1] heat transfer model, are compared against experimental data.

Numerical simulation of dropwise condensation over hydrophobic surfaces using vapor-diffusion model

Dropwise condensation of humid air over hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces is numerically investigated using a phenomenological, Lagrangian model. Mass flux through droplets free surface is predicted via a vapor-diffusion model. Validation with literature experimental data is successfully conducted at different air humidities and air velocities. The accuracy of the implemented condensation model is compared with a standard analogy between convective heat and mass transfer, showing that the latter is not able to predict heat transfer performances in the investigated air velocity range.