On the Teaching of Condensation Heat Transfer

Abstract

The topic of condensation heat transfer is usually included in a chapter on Boiling and Condensation in most Heat Transfer textbooks. The assumptions made are those of laminar liquid film with constant thermo-physical properties, uniform vapor temperature equal to the saturation temperature of the vapor, negligible shear at the liquid-vapor interface, and negligible momentum and energy transfer by advection in the condensate film. The results presented are normally for the film thickness, the local convective heat transfer coefficient, and the Nusselt number. However, no means are presented to the student to determine if all of these simplifying assumptions are actually satisfied for a given problem. This investigation clarifies these points to improve teaching of the material and understanding by the student at the undergraduate and graduate level.