Dropwise condensation vs film condensation [with Pdf]

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November 3, 2021

The main difference between dropwise condensation vs film condensation is that

in dropwise condensation, the vapours are condensed in the form of droplets on
the surface of the condenser. while in filmwise condensation the vapours are
condensed in the form of thin-film which wets the surface resulting in a lowering of
the rate of heat transfer.

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Let’s discuss each type of condensation process in brief.

Table of Contents

What is Dropwise condensation?

What is Filmwise condensation?
Dropwise condensation vs film condensation
Read also:

What is Dropwise condensation?

Dropwise condensation is the type of condensation process in which the vapours are
condensed in the form of droplets on the surface.

The droplets are of different sizes and these droplets glide down from the surface and
doesn’t form any insulating layer on the surface of the condenser.

As in dropwise condensation, the condensate never wets the surface, the overall heat
transfer coefficient is higher in comparison with filmwise condensation.

The overall heat transfer coefficient in the case of dropwise condensation is around 10
times larger than in the case of filmwise condensation

For the dropwise condensation the surface should be highly polished.

While in some cases the promoter materials are used to promote dropwise condensation,
Some of the promoters are added into the vapours while some promoters materials are
hydrophobic impurities applied in the form of a coating on a heat transfer surface of
condenser but this promoter becomes ineffective after some time because of oxidation
and fouling.

What is Filmwise condensation?

Filmwise condensation is the type of condensation process in which the vapours are
condensed in the form of a layer or film on the surface.

In the filmwise condensation process, the condensate material wets the surface of the
condenser body therefore it adds extra resistance for the transfer of heat.

The overall heat transfer coefficient is less in the case of filmwise condensation, because
of this the rate of condensation is also lower for filmwise condensation.

As the rate of condensation is lower, the equipment based on filmwise condensation is

generally larger in size than equipment with dropwise condensation.

Dropwise condensation vs film condensation

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Sr.
No. Film condensation Dropwise condensation

1 The liquid condensates are deposited The liquid contents are deposited in the
in the form of a film or layer. form of droplets of varying sizes.

2 The condensate wets the surface. It never wets the surface.

3 The film or layer deposited works as The droplets never wet the surface
insulation by adding extra resistance hence it never acts as insulation.
for heat transfer.

4 The overall heat transfer coefficient is The overall heat transfer coefficient is up
lower. to 10 times larger than in filmwise
condensation.

5 The rate of condensation is lower. The rate of condensation is higher.

6 The filmwise condensation occurs on The dropwise condensation requires a

less polished and uncontaminated highly polished surface or the surface
surfaces. with promoters coating.

7 The size of the equipment for filmwise The equipment is comparatively smaller
condensation is larger for the unit rate in size for the unit rate of condensation.
of condensation.

Read also:
Fin efficiency
Free convection vs forced convection
Fouling factor in heat exchanger
Biot number
Fin effectiveness

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