On the Similarity Solution for Condensation Heat Transfer

Tamm, Gunnar; Boettner, Daisie D.; Van Poppel, Bret P.; Benson, Michael J.; Arnas, A. Özer

On the Similarity Solution for Condensation Heat Transfer

Date

2009-08-26

Authors

Publisher

ASME International

Abstract

Analytical solutions for laminar film condensation on a vertical plate are integral to many heat transfer applications, and have therefore been presented in numerous refereed articles and in most heat transfer textbooks. Commonly made assumptions achieve the well known similarity solution for the Nusselt number, heat transfer coefficient, and film thickness. Yet in all of these studies, several critical assumptions are made without justifying their use. Consequently, for a given problem one cannot determine whether these restrictive assumptions are actually satisfied, and thus, how these conditions can be checked for validity of the results. This study provides a detailed solution that clarifies these points.

Keywords

Condensation, Convection, Film condensation, Heat transfer, Vertical plates, Liquid films, Boundary layers

Citation

Tamm, G., Boettner, D. D., Van Poppel, B. P., Benson, M. J., and Arnas, A. Ö. (August 26, 2009). "On the Similarity Solution for Condensation Heat Transfer." ASME. J. Heat Transfer. November 2009; 131(11): 111501. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3154920