A Theoretical Study of Dropwise Condensation

Abstract

The so-called steady dropwise condensation consists of the transient dropwise condensation occurring repeatedly from place to place on the tracks of departing drops. By taking statistical and geometrical conditions into account, the author derives fundamental equations describing the process of this transient dropwise condensation. By solving these equations, the existence of a universal drop-size distribution is predicted. Further, by introducing a model for the cycle of drop departure, a general expression for the heat-transfer coefficient under the so-called steady dropwise condensation is obtained.