Theoretical and Experimental Study on Dropwise Condensation in Plate Heat Exchangers

Abstract

This paper describes the outline of a simulation model for an oil-cooled flat-plate condenser and summarises the main results from its application. Mass and energy balances are solved for a specific Alfa Laval plate heat exchanger with three channels. Dropwise condensation on the corrugated plate surface is described using a modified model from the literature, and studied through high-speed imaging. Parameter variations show the most relevant parameters of the model. The influence of temperature difference, oil flow, pressure and some model parameters on the simulation results is analysed. The results of the simulations are compared to experimental data, showing that the model is useful over a certain range of parameters, but has to be improved for high heat fluxes to achieve a better fit to the experimental data.