Deposition of nano-scale polymer film on micro-fins to enhance the film-wise condensation of very low surface tension substances

Dropwise condensation is extremely difficult to accomplish through the nanostructured surfaces for very low surface tension substances, such as the Freon refrigerants. To further improve the laminar film condensation heat transfer of the substances with very low surface tension, rely solely on the super hydrophobic layer might not work. In this work, a three dimensional micro-finned tube was fabricated and a layer of polymer coating was deposited outside the fins. Condensation of two substances, R1234ze(E) and R134a, were investigated at saturation temperature 30 and 40 degrees C. Under the coupling effect of coating and fins, the condensing heat transfer coefficient can be up to 28 times larger than the smooth tube and the value can reach 43 kW/m(2)K at heat flux 20 kW/m(2). In the lower heat flux, it can be 150% higher than the same finned tube without polymer coating. As the condensing heat transfer enhancement with only fin structure modifications would soon reach its limit, it should have a good application prospect for the micro-fins with surface treatment. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Research has shown that coupling the three-dimensional micro-finned tube with a polymer coating can significantly enhance the condensing heat transfer of low surface tension substances, with a condensing heat transfer coefficient up to 28 times larger than a smooth tube. This approach shows great potential for applications in surface treatment of micro-fins in the future.