Condensate drop movement in Marangoni condensation by applying bulk temperature gradient on heat transfer surface

Abstract

AbstractThe spontaneous movement of condensate drops by application of a bulk temperature gradient on the heat transfer surface in Marangoni condensation was investigated, with consideration for applications to heat transfer devices. In the Marangoni condensation process, the removal of condensate on the heat transfer surface is important to maintain good heat transfer. A heat transfer device, in which the liquid movement occurs without external forces such as gravity and vapor shear force, may be useful in various applications. As a result of experiments using a water–ethanol vapor mixture, the movement of droplets from the low‐temperature side to high‐temperature side could be observed on a horizontally arranged heat transfer surface. The relation between the velocity of drop movement and the gradient of surface tension was studied for different concentrations. Furthermore, the effect of inclination of the condensing surface was examined. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 37(7): 387–397, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20218