Mixed convection turbulent film condensation on a sphere

Abstract

The present paper reports a research on condensation heat transfer of an isothermal sphere with an external flow of vapor. The high tangential velocity of the vapor flow is determined from potential flow theory. The transition criterion of the onset turbulence has been given in the local film Reynolds number ( Re Γ ). An eddy diffusivity model along with an expression by [H. Kato, N.N. Shiwaki, M. Hirota, On the turbulent heat transfer by free convection from a vertical plate, Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, 11(1968) 1117–1125] is used to model turbulence. And the local liquid–vapor interfacial shear which occurs for high velocity vapor flow across a sphere surface is defined by the Colburn analogy. The paper then presents analytical analysis for the local dimensionless film thickness and heat transfer characteristics for the film condensation. And a comparison with those generated by previous theoretical of laminar condensation is discussed. The comparison shows the heat transfer coefficient of turbulent film condensation is higher than laminar film condensation under the high vapor velocity.