Chemical Engineering Communications, Vol.127, 125-135, 1994
Filmwise Condensation on a Horizontal Elliptic Tube Embedded in Porous-Media
An analytical study is made into the process of heat transfer with the vapor condensation on a horizontal tube embedded in porous media. As in classical film condensation problems, it is assumed that (1) the condensate and the vapor are separated by a distinct boundary with no two-phase zone in between, and (2) the condensate has constant properties. Within boundary layer approximation as in Nusselt-type condensation theory, analytical expressions for both local condensate film thickness and heat transfer coefficient around the elliptical periphery have been derived under the effects of gravity and surface tension for various values of ellipticity. The dimensionless mean heat transfer coefficient-NuBAR for various ellipticities e and Bond numbers Bo has been obtained; however, it is nearly unaffected by surface tension force due to surface curvature varying.
Keywords:SURFACE