Time Evolution of the Droplet Size Distribution in Dropwise Condensation

Abstract

Abstract Droplet growth processes during dropwise condensation are simulated with a help of computer. We focus on instantaneous and time-averaged characteristics of droplet size distributions. Based on simulation results, shift of a single peak from small to large size is a significant characteristic for the instantaneous distribution before the first departure. Once condensing surface was refreshed time and again by shedding droplets, then coexistence, shift and combination of multiple peaks is the dominant feature. This indicates that the instantaneous droplet size distribution highly depends on growth time and target area. The findings can explain why different distribution characteristics were reported in experiments. Different from the instantaneous distribution, time-averaged size distributions for coalesced droplets follow a power-law style due to a collaboration of coalescence events and re-nucleation behaviors. However, the size range for the power-law distributions were affected by nucleation density. This requires an appropriate usage of the empirical or fractal model to predict theoretically heat transfer rate of dropwise condensation. The present work provides a comprehensive understanding of the instantaneous and time-averaged characteristics of droplet size distributions.