Prediction of Horizontal Tubeside Condensation of Pure Components Using Flow Regime Criteria

Abstract

In order to select the appropriate correlations for prediction of horizontal tubeside condensation heat transfer coefficients, it is necessary to estimate what types of flow patterns exist at various points along the tube. The main criteria required are shown to be the ratio of shear to gravity forces on the condensate film and the ratio of vapor volume to liquid volume. A recently proposed prediction method by Taitel and Dukler is compared with observed flow regimes for condensation in horizontal tubes. The theoretically obtained parameters are shown to characterize the flow regimes well. Based on these parameters, a simplified procedure for prediction of local heat transfer coefficients for pure component condensation in horizontal tubes is proposed.