Condensation inertia, effect

Labuntsov (L2), 1957 Heat transfer to condensate films on vertical and horizontal surfaces. In laminar region, Nusselt equations are corrected for (a) inertia effects, (b) variation of physical properties with temperature, (c) effects of waves. In turbulent region various universal velocity profiles are used. Results compared with experimental data. 

Heat transfer coefficients for condensation processes depend on the condensation models involved, condensation rate, flow pattern, heat transfer surface geometry, and surface orientation. The behavior of condensate is controlled by inertia, gravity, vapor-liquid film interfacial shear, and surface tension forces. Two major condensation mechanisms in film condensation are gravity-controlled and shear-controlled (forced convective) condensation in passages where the surface tension effect is negligible. At high vapor shear, the condensate film may became turbulent. 

In wet mechanical scrubbers, particularly inertia is used in the separation process and, to a lesser extent diffusion processes and the condensation effect. The separating areas are formed by a water curtain, water drops, a liquid surface or the surface of bubbles. During the separation involving water drops, their mass and diameter has to be much larger than those of the particles to be separated. The efficiency of the separator is governed by relation between the velocity of the droplets of the washing medium and that of the particles in the gas to be purified, and the time of contact between the liquid and gaseous phases. 

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