Condensation Heat Transfer in Horizontal Non-Circular Microchannels

Abstract

This investigation contributes to a better understanding of\rcondensation heat transfer in horizontal non-circular microchannels. For this\rpurpose, the conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy have been\rnumerically solved in both phases (liquid and vapor), and all the more, so the\rfilm thickness analytical expression has been established. Numerical results\rrelative to variations of the meniscus curvature radius, the condensate film\rthickness, the condensation length and heat transfer coefficients, are analyzed\rin terms of the influencing physical and geometrical quantities. The\reffect of the microchannel shapes on the average Nusselt number is highlighted\rby studying condensation of steam insquare, rectangular and equilateral\rtriangular microchannels with the same hydraulic diameter of 250 μm.