Heat transfer characteristic of dropwise condensation on an inclined circular tube

Abstract

In a previous paper, the authors have investigated the relation between the behaviour of departing drops and the heat transfer on the surface of a horizontal tube. It was found that the departing drops on the condensing surface caused two significant effects, i.e. a sweeping effect and a covering effect. The heat transfer characteristics on the horizontal tube were measured and reported.

The purposes of the present paper are to explore a model for calculating the behaviour of the departing drops on an inclined tube and through it to examine the heat transfer characteristics. The effect of the departing drops on the heat transfer is deduced and the phenomenon is clarified.

The authors have also found that the heat transfer associated with both the sweeping and covering actions by the departing drops has its maximum at an inclination angle of the condensing tube of $\text{α ≈ 30°}$.