Effect of Vapor Superheating on Mixed-Convection Film Condensation Along an Isothermal Vertical Cylinder

Abstract

AbstractThis paper presents an analytical investigation into the effect of vapor superheating on the mixed-convection of a condensate layer flowing along the outside surface of an isothermal vertical cylinder. The governing system of partial differential equations is transformed into a dimensionless form using the nonsimilar transformation method. In investigating the heat transfer characteristics within the condensate layer and vapor phase, the analysis takes account of both the inertia effects and the convection effects within the condensate layer and the shear resistance at the liquid-vapor interface. The numerical results reveal that vapor superheating has a negligible effect on the temperature profile and local Nusselt number within the condensate layer. Moreover, it is found that a higher forced-flow intensity increases the temperature gradient in the vapor phase, but has a marginal effect on the temperature profile in the condensate layer. Finally, it is shown that the velocity at the liquid-vapor interface increases as the intensity of the forced-flow increases or as the ratio of the condensate layer viscosity to the vapor phase viscosity reduces.