ABSTRACT

Experiments were conducted to investigate heat-transfer rates of water-film and dropwise condensation. The effect of tube length and feed flow on the overall heat-transfer coefficient was also investigated. The overall heat transfer coefficients obtained from the dropwise condensation experiments were considerably greater than those obtained from the film-type condensation experiments conducted to obtain comparison data.

INTRODUCTION
Condensation of steam on the surface of a condenser causes heat to transfer from the steam into the cooling medium flowing through the condenser. This type of heat transfer may occur at very high fluxes depending on the conditions at the condenser surface. Steam may condense in two different manners--filmwise or dropwise. For the same operating conditions, dropwise condensation exhibits a much higher and efficient heat transfer compared to filmwise condensation. Although dropwise condensation is always desirable, it seldom occurs in practice for a continuous period of time.

AIMS
The objective of this experiment is to: Have a visual observation of filmwise and dropwise condensation, as well as nucleate boiling. Determine of heat flux and heat transfer coefficients in both filmwise and dropwise condensation at different operating pressures. Investigate on the relationship between saturation pressure and temperature for water up to 100C. Study on the effect of presence of air in the condensers. Demonstrate Daltons Law.

THEORY
In this experiment there will be two kinds of condensation that is dropwise condensation and filmwise condensation. Dropwise condensation occurs if the heat transfer surfaces are treated to become non-wettable; the condensate that forms on the surface will be shaped like spherical beads. These beads adheres together to become larger as condensation proceeds. The bigger beads will then start to flow downwards due to their weight, thus collecting all other static beads along the way. As the beads increase in size, the velocity increases, finally leaving a trail of bare surface free from liquid film. This bare surface offers very little resistance to the transfer of heat. Therefore, very high heat fluxes are possible.

In the other hand, filmwise condensation occurs when heat transfer surfaces on a heat exchanger are made of wettable materials. During condensation, a film of condensate spreads over these surfaces. As more vapor condenses on the outside of the film, its thickness increases and the film will start flowing downwards due to its weight. Heat transfer occurs through this film of condensate to the surface material beneath, then to the cooling medium. The liquid film is generally a poor conductor of heat, contributing much to the thermal resistance and inefficiency of this mode of condensation. The advantages of dropwise over filmwise condensation are apparent, resulting in a smaller heat transfer area, smaller temperature difference or larger heat transfer rate for a fixed set of conditions.

APPARATUS
FILM AND DROPWISE CONDENSATION UNIT

The unit is a self-contained bench top unit, with an integrated steam generator and air extraction system. The main components in the unit are the specially designed condensers for the observation of both filmwise and dropwise condensation.