Extensive study on laminar free film condensation from vapor–gas mixture

Abstract

The dimensionless velocity component method was successfully applied in a depth investigation of laminar free film condensation from a vapor–gas mixture, and the complete similarity transformation of its system of governing partial differential equations was conducted. The set of dimensionless variables of the transformed mathematical model greatly facilitates the analysis and calculation of the velocity, temperature and concentration fields, and heat and mass transfer of the film condensation from the vapor–gas mixture. Meanwhile, three difficult points of analysis related to the reliable analysis and calculation of heat and mass transfer for the film condensation from the vapor–gas mixture were overcome. They include: (i) correct determination of the interfacial vapor condensate saturated temperature; (ii) reliable treatment of the concentration-dependent densities of vapor–gas mixture, and (iii) rigorously satisfying the whole set of physical matching conditions at the liquid–vapor interface. Furthermore, the critical bulk vapor mass fraction for condensation was proposed, and evaluated for the film condensation from the water vapor–air mixture, and the useful methods in treatment of temperature-dependent physical properties of liquids and gases were applied. With these elements in place, the reliable results on analysis and calculation of heat and mass transfer of the film condensation from the vapor–gas mixture were achieved. The laminar free film condensation of water vapor in the presence of air was taken as an example for the numerical calculation. It was confirmed that the presence of the non-condensable gas is a decisive factor in decreasing the heat and mass transfer of the film condensation. It was demonstrated that an increase of the bulk gas mass fraction has the following impacts: an expedited decline in the interfacial vapor condensate saturation temperature; an expedited decrease in the condensate liquid film thickness, the condensate liquid velocity, and the condensate heat and mass transfer. It was found that an increase of the wall temperature will increase the negative effect of the non-condensable gas on heat and mass transfer of the film condensation from the vapor–gas mixture.