The effect of hydrophilicity on condensation over various types of fin-and-tube heat exchangers

An experimental study on the behavior of water hold-up by condensation on various shapes of fin-and-tube heat exchangers with different surface hydrophilicity, i.e. dynamic contact angle of surface, was conducted. Condensation experiments were conducted, and the amount of water hold-up was measured, Condensation flow patterns on fins with different surface hydrophilicity were visualized. Results showed that the water hold-up of a heat exchanger could be reduced by the enhancement of the surface hydrophilicity and the design of a heat exchanger with a lower number of fins and fins with slant ends. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved.