Research

Condensation Heat Transfer on Low-Finned Tubes

Principal investigator: Huasheng WANG
Co-investigator(s): John ROSE

Low-finned condenser tubes are now widely used in modern plant. Design calculations are presently based on correlations of experimental data. Theoretical solution is problematic owing to the crucial role played by surface tension and curvature of the condensate surface which various in a complicated way over the fin and tube surface. This project aims at obtaining a more than hitherto "complete" and accurate, wholly-theoretical, solution of the problem of condensation on low-finned tubes. A method for solving the complex differential equation involving curvature of the condensate surface and with insufficient, known, boundary conditions has been developed. The investigation is continuing.