Fundamentals of Hydrodynamics and Heat and Mass Transfer at Film Condensation of Stationary Vapor on Horizontal Tube Bundles: A Brief Review

Abstract

Condensers represent an indispensable part of equipment of any power, chemical-technological, cryogenic, refrigeration and other installations used in industry. Reducing the weight, dimensions and cost of devices is always an urgent task. The process of condensation in real devices is a very complex phenomenon. The intensity of energy transfer from vapor to a solid cooled wall is determined, other things being equal, by three interrelated factors: (i) variable irrigation density and change in film flow hydrodynamics as the irrigation density changes, (ii) variable vapor velocity affecting a condensate film in the varying film and vapor flow regimes, and (iii) effect of the diffusion process on heat transfer during condensation of vapor with non-condensable impurities. The authors consider that they have to describe the issues that are poorly covered in the literature, although these issues are of fundamental importance for understanding the process under study. In this paper, the main factors that determine heat transfer during stationary vapor condensation on horizontal tube bundles are considered. An algorithm for calculating a condenser at film condensation of stationary vapor without non-condensable impurities is proposed. A critical analysis of modern experimental studies on heat transfer during condensation has been carried out.