ANALYSIS OF FILM CONDENSATION WITHIN INCLINED THIN POROUS-LAYER COATED SURFACES

Film-condensation enhancement by a porous/fluid composite system is investigated numerically. The numerical simulations detail laminar film condensation from an inclined thin porous-layer coated plate that is immersed in pure saturated steam at atmospheric pressure. A mathematical model is formulated, and the numerical results are compared with Nusselt's theory and preliminary experimental data. The dependence of the average heat transfer coefficient (represented by the Nusselt number and the average heat flux) on the surface subcooling, the gravity field, and the thin porous-layer coating characteristics (thickness, effective thermal conductivity model, porous structure, etc.) is documented.