Abstract
Experiments have been performed to examine critically the mechanism of condensation of steam, particularly when the condensation occurred in the dropwise form. This led to an investigation of the duration of life of a surface giving purely dropwise condensation, of which a brief summary is given. Having found that appreciable durations were possible, quantitative measurements of the heat transfer rates were made for high heat loads on a flat surface. Stress was laid throughout on the maintenance of either the purely filmwise or purely dropwise form.
An analysis of the results is given, and an examination of the possible application to practical problems shows that steam-condenser surface areas for high heat loading can be reduced appreciably from the present value, provided little non-condensable gas is present, the presence of a small quantity of promoter is tolerable, and suitable water-side conditions can be maintained. The effects of departure from these conditions, found in practice, are discussed.
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