Effects of contact angle on condensate topology, drainage and efficiency of a condenser with minichannels

R.J.E. Walpot, F.L.A. Ganzevles, C.W.M. Geld, van der

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    12 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Epoxy coatings with good adhesion characteristics have been developed that are suitable for large-scale manufacturing and application in compact heat exchangers. Two of them, with a static contact angle for water of 105° and 79° have been tested in a finned-tube condenser comparing flat plate minichannels on the gas-side. Contrary to the expectation, the thermal efficiency of the 105° condenser is slightly less than that of the 79° one. This is due to a reduction of condensate drop size at detachment, resulting in relatively small dry paths after drainage. The finned-tube geometry is shown to be less favourable for a condenser than a compact cross-flow plate geometry with minichannels on both the gas- and coolant side.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1033-1042
    JournalExperimental Thermal and Fluid Science
    Volume31
    Issue number8
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2007

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