1.

Abstract
The two main function of the film and drop wise condensation unit is to observe the
process of heat transfer during condensation process and to collect experimental data for
better theoretical understanding system. We are able to see bench top unit with an
integrated steam generator and air extraction in the unit. Furthermore, the special about
this unit is the main component are specifically designed condenser for the observation of
both filmwise and dropwise condensation about the differences of them. The aims that we
want to achieve are to study the heat transfer coefficient and the heat flux and the effect
of air inside the chamber. Condensation is the process when vapour changes to liquid
state with large heat transfer coefficient. On the other hand, film wise condensation
occurs on a vertical or horizontal plane when a film of condensate is formed on surface.
By using Nusselt equation, the heat transfer coefficient is able to be calculated. Nusselt
assumed that the heat transfer that occurs from the vapour through film and to the wall is
conduction. From there we are able to do the calculation on the heat transfer coeeficient
since we assume the process is conduction through Nusselt.the obtained data from this
experiment are Tsat, Tsurf, Tin and Tout.
(Film and drop wise condensation unit,Solution Engineering Sdn Bhd )
2. Introduction
In condensation process there are two kinds, which are filmwise and dropwise. In
filmwise condensation, a laminar film of vapour is created upon a surface. Then, the film
flow downwards and increasing in thickness as additional vapour is picked up along the
way. Meanwhile in dropwise it flow downwards and accumulating static droplets below
them along the way. Furthermore, Dropwise condensation occurs when the rate of
condensation is low or the liquid does not wet the wall. Additional, film condensation is
most expected in an industrial part because of the large mass flux condensed liquid per
unit length of wetted area.

As additional information, dropwise condensation was first recognized by Schmidth

et al in 1930and much interest was inspired by their report that heat transfer coefficient
were 5 and 7 times found with film condensation. The application of this experiment in
any industry is to increase the heat efficiency of heat transfer. For example, vapour power

cycle such as the ranking cycle. Its operational pressure able be reduced by increasing the
efficiency of condenser and the overall efficiency of the cycle able be improved. In
industrial scale, dropwise condensation is difficult to sustain reliably, so they preferred
the industrial equipment is normally deliberate to operate in film wise condensation
mode.

In any application, the steam must be condensed as it transfer heat to cooling medium
which can be cold water in a condenser of generating station, hot water in a heating
calorifier , sugar solution in a sugar refinery and so on. During condensation, high heat
flux are possible and provided that the heat can be quickly transferred from the
condensing surface into the cooling medium. Therefore the heat exchangers can be
packed in and effective.

In this experiment we use the SOLTEQ Film and Dropwise Condensation Unit that
allows students to visualize both phenomena and perform a few experiments to
demonstrate both concepts and how their applied and its benefits to the industry. As the
unit have been designed to help student to understand several key aspect in condensation
topic specifically on filmwise and dropwise process.
(Filmwise and Dropwise, GoodMarissa)

3. Objective
i.

To demonstrate the filmwise and dropwise condensation.

ii.

To determine the filmwise heat flux and surface heat transfer coefficient at
contant pressure.

iii.

To determine the dropwise heat flux and surface heat transfer coefficient at
constant pressure.

iv.

To demonstrate the effect of air on the heat transfer coefficient of condensation.