STEADY STEAM CONDENSATION

ON AN EXTENDED SURFACE
WITH SUCTION
OF CONDENSATE
O.A. KABOVa,c*, D.R. KOLYUKHINa,d
I.V. MARCHUKa, and J.-C. LEGROSb,c
a – Institute of Thermophysics SB RAS
1 Lavrentyev Ave., Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
b – Euro Heat Pipes S.A., Brussels, Belgium
c – Microgravity Research Center,
Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
d – Weierstrass Institute for Applied
Analysis and Stochastics, Germany
*
E-mail: okabov@ulb.ac.be

T he condensation of stationary steam on curvilinear fins is investigated. The fins are

described by an equation for a spiral with a variable direction of rotation when the capil-
lary pressure has a profound effect on the condensate film motion. To obtain optimal fins, it
is proposed to extend the well-known condensation surfaces of Gregorig (1954) and Adamek
(1981). Mathematical analysis and some numerical calculations are performed for the spe-
cial case when the condensate is drawn away from the center of a flute. The properties of
these surfaces and the effect of the geometrical parameters of fins on the enhancement of
heat transfer are analyzed. The extended surface proposed can be manufactured by tradi-
tional methods, and can produce an amount of condensate per unit length of the film surface
projection by 62% greater than that produced by the surface proposed by Adamek (1981).
Key words: film condensation, heat transfer enhancement, surface tension.

1. INTRODUCTION
The use of complex-shaped surfaces for steam condensation. The use of surfaces
with fins of various shapes (Bergles, 1978; Marto and Numm, 1983; Kabov, 1993;
Webb, 1994) represents the most effective method of steam condensation enhance-
ment. Transverse fins are used for horizontal tubes, and longitudinal fins are used for
vertical tubes. With this method of heat transfer enhancement, in addition to an in-
crease in the area of the surface, the average integral thickness of the film decreases
considerably. The horizontal tubes used in industrial machines and laboratory inves-
tigations can be divided into the following three groups: 1) tubes with transverse
continuous fins of “canonical” shape, which are, for instance, rectangular (Wanniar-
achchi et al., 1986; Gogonin and Kabov, 1991), trapezoid (Gogonin et al., 1993), or
cylindrical (Rifert and Trokoz, 1987); 2) tubes with transverse continuous fins of spe-
cial shape (Kedzierski and Webb, 1990; Honda and Kim, 1995; Gogonin and Kabov,
1996; Anisimov and Smirnov, 1997); 3) surfaces with three-dimensional fins and
spikes (Arai et al., 1997; Sukhatme, 1990; Kabov et al., 1993; Cheng and Tao, 1994).

Journal of Engineering Thermophysics, Vol. 12, No. 1, P. 1–24

http://rjet.itp.nsc.ru; e-mail: rjet@itp.nsc.ru
© 2003, Institute of Thermophysics SB RAS
2 O.A. KABOV, D.R. KOLYUKHIN, I.V. MARCHUK, J.-C. LEGROS

Models of heat transfer on a fin. The regularities of hydrodynamics and heat

transfer at steam condensation on non-smooth surfaces were considered in some
review papers (Marto, 1988; Webb, 1988; Sukhatme, 1990; Webb, 1994; Fujii,
1995). It was shown that the most part of the liquid is condensed at the fin. There-
fore, heat transfer models of steam condensation at fins were thoroughly studied.
Gregorig (1954) was first to propose a theoretical model of condensation at a cur-
vilinear fin with allowance for the forces of surface tension. A detailed analysis of
this model was made by (Webb, 1979). The influence of gravitation on the process
of film motion was ignored. A solution was obtained within the framework of the
statement proposed by Nusselt (1916). The liquid is moving along a fin under the
action of the gradient of capillary pressure in the condensate film:
dp d1
=σ   (1)
ds ds  R 
The pressure in the film decreases as the curvilinear coordinate along the fin in-
creases:
p = ps +σ / R (2)

The following equation was obtained for the film thickness at the fin:

d  3 d  1   3ηλ∆T 1
δ   = (3)
ds  ds  R   ρr σ δ

Integration of this equation yields

1 1 3ηλ∆T
s  s ds  ds
ρr σ ∫0
= − ∫  3 (4)
R R0  0 Φ ( s)  Φ ( s)

Here δ = Φ(s) is the film thickness as a function of the curvilinear coordinate.

Equation (4) makes it possible to obtain the shape of the film surface and the fin
for a given Φ(s). Since Φ(s) is known, the distribution of local coefficients of heat
transfer at the fin can also be calculated, because, in accordance with Nusselt
(1916), α = λ/δ. The following solution was obtained at the condition
Φ(s) = δ = δ0 = const:

1 1 3ηλ∆Ts 2
− = (5)
R0 R 2ρr σδ04

Here R0 is the initial radius of curvature of the film at the fin top. In the case being
considered, it coincides with the initial radius of curvature of the solid surface. It
follows from (5) that the pressure and grad p in the film vary in accordance with
the following law:
σ 3ηλ∆Ts 2
p = ps + − (6)
R0 2ρr δ04
 STEADY STEAM CONDENSATION ON AN EXTENDED SURFACE ... 3

dp 3ηλ∆Ts
=− (7)
ds ρr δ04

The motion along the fin under the action of capillary forces continues at the con-
dition p–ps > 0. At the point where p = ps, for the film and fin the curvature radius
R = ∞. The coordinate of this point can be determined from (5):
12
 2r σδ04 ρ 
S1 =   (8)
 3ηλ∆TR0
 
The surface proposed by Gregorig (1954) is described by the following equation:

R0 s2
=1− 2 (9)
R S1

The local and average coefficient of heat transfer at the fin is described by
14
 2λ3 r ρσ 
α=  (10)
 3η∆TR S 2
 0 1 
The surface proposed by Gregorig (1954) was used in Bromley et al. (1966) to
enhance steam condensation on a rotating disk with radial flutes. For a simpler
representation of the surface, the authors introduced an angular coordinate θ be-
tween the axis of symmetry of the fin and the radius to the surface at point s as
follows:

s = ∫ Rdθ (11)

The maximal value of the angle at R = ∞ is this:

2 S1
w= (12)
3 R0

The surface of the fin and the coefficient of heat transfer are described by the fol-
lowing equations:
12 3
θ  R0   1 R0  s 4  s 
= 1− 1 + 2 R  = R w − 27  R w  (13)
w  R    0  0 
14
 8λ 3rρσ 
α=
 27η∆TR 3w2 
(14)
 0 
Equation (13) is an equation for a spiral with a variable direction of rotation. To
calculate the shape of the surface, it is convenient to represent it in a parametric
form (Figure 1):
4 O.A. KABOV, D.R. KOLYUKHIN, I.V. MARCHUK, J.-C. LEGROS

R0
Θ

S1

S2

Figure 1. Extended surface of finning (system of coordinates).

0.80 2.50

2.00
0.60 0.8
R0 = 1.0 mm
R0 = 0.3 mm
1.50
Y, mm

Y, mm

0.40
0.6
1.00

0.20 0.4
0.50
0.3

0.00 0.00
−0.40 −0.20 0.00 0.20 0.40 −1.00 0.00 1.00
X, mm X, mm

Figure 2. The shape of a surface with a constant thickness of the condensate film proposed
in Gregorig (1954).
 STEADY STEAM CONDENSATION ON AN EXTENDED SURFACE ... 5

dX = sin ( φ ) ds = sin ( π 2 − θ ) ds = cos ( θ ) ds

dY = − cos ( φ ) ds = − cos ( π 2 − θ ) ds = − sin ( θ ) ds

S
X ( s ) = ∫ cos ( θ (t ) ) dt
0

S
Y ( s ) = − ∫ sin ( θ (t ) ) dt
0

Here θ = θ(s), s∈[0, S2], t∈[0, s], θ(0) = 0. The results of a calculation of the
shape of the Gregorig surface are presented in Figure 2 for values of the initial
radius R0 = 0.3 and 1 mm.
Extended Gregorig surface. An extended Gregorig surface was proposed in
Kabov (1999). The pressure in a film at s > S1 is described by Eq. (6), which can
be written in the following form:
2
σ σ  s 
p = ps + −   (15)
R0 R0  S1 

It is seen from (15) that as the coordinate s increases after the point s = S1, the
pressure in the film continues to decrease below the steam pressure. This provides
further motion of the film under the action of the pressure gradient determined by
Eq. (7).
It is reasonable to extend the surface of the fin to a certain point where the de-
rivative dY(s)/ds changes its sign, that is, (dY/ds = 0). At this point, the tangent
to the curve is perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the fin, and the radius of
curvature is parallel to the axis of symmetry, that is, the condition w = w2 = 0 is
satisfied. To determine the coordinate of this point S2 , it is convenient to write
Eqs. (5), (9), and (13) for the Gregorig surface in the following form:

s s3
θ= − 2
R0 3S1 R0

It follows that

S2 = 3 S1 (16)

The length of the extended Gregorig surface is by 73% greater than that of the sur-
face in Figure 2 with similar parameters R0 and S1.
Zener and Lavi (1974) studied steam condensation on a curvilinear surface for
the case when the radius of curvature varies so that the gradient of capillary pres-
sure in the film remains constant (dp/ds = const). The following expression was
obtained from Eq. (3) for the average coefficient of heat transfer:
6 O.A. KABOV, D.R. KOLYUKHIN, I.V. MARCHUK, J.-C. LEGROS

14
8  λ 3rρσ 
α=   (17)
3  η∆TR0 s 2 

An analytical investigation of steam condensation for a wider class of curvilin-

ear surfaces described by the equation 1/R = (w/S1)[(ξ+1)/ξ][1–(s/S1)ξ] was
performed in Adamek (1981). Here ξ is a nondimensional parameter that charac-
terizes the fin shape (–1 ≤ ξ ≤ ∞). The solutions obtained in Gregorig (1954) and
Zener and Lavi (1974) are particular cases of the solutions obtained in Adamek
(1981). There also exist other models of steam condensation on fins, for instance
Markowitz et al. (1972), Hirasawa et al. (1980), and other papers. There are some
models of steam condensation for the entire finned surface, these models, how-
ever, will not be considered in this paper. For a current review of the field see
book by Webb (1994) and Kandlikar et al. (1999).
The purpose of this paper is to investigate theoretically and numerically film
condensation of stationary steam on extended surfaces of condensation introduced
in Gregorig (1954) and Adamek (1981). The geometrical parameters (shape) of
such surfaces are optimized. For this, the mass of the liquid condensed per unit
length of the condensation surface is maximized. Our calculations were made for
the case when the condensate is drawn away from the center of a flute. The con-
densate film is assumed to be moving only under the action of capillary pressure
and friction on the fin. This problem statement is valid for condensation under
conditions of microgravitation (g→0) or condensation on fins of much smaller
size than the capillary constant of the liquid. For most liquids at room temperature,
the capillary constant varies from 2.7 mm (water) to 0.87 mm (FC-72) at a tem-
perature of the liquid of 20 °C.

2. PROBLEM STATEMENT AND DERIVATION OF BASIC RELATIONS

We consider the process of film condensation on a fin (Figure 1) with a constant
temperature Tw. The steady flow of the condensate film on the surface of the fin
under the action of capillary forces in the approximation of lubrication theory with
allowance for heat balance and absence of heat conduction along the film is de-
scribed by the following system of equations:

∂ 2u
η = σκ′( s ) (18)
∂y 2

∂ 2T
=0 (19)
∂y 2
s
λTy ( s, δ ( s ) ) δ( s )

∫ ds = ∫ ρu ( s, y ) dy (20)
0
r 0

with boundary conditions

 STEADY STEAM CONDENSATION ON AN EXTENDED SURFACE ... 7

u ( s,0 ) = uy ( s, δ ( s ) ) = 0, T ( s,0 ) = Tw , T ( s, δ ( s ) ) = Ts (21)

The boundary conditions represent non-slip and absence of friction on the free sur-
face of the film. The wall temperature Tw is also known. The temperature at the
film surface is equal to the temperature of saturation Ts. The gravitational forces
are assumed to be negligibly small. For a section of small length, the film flow is
assumed plane, that is, the condition
δ R 1 (22)

must be satisfied.
Integration of Eqs. (18), (19) with allowance for boundary conditions (21) gives
expressions for the profiles of velocity and temperature in the condensate film:
σκ′  y ∆T
u ( s, y ) = − y  δ( s ) −  , T ( s, y) = Tw + y (23)
η  2 δ( s )
Here ∆T = Ts − Tw . Substituting expressions (23) for u(s,y) and T(s,y) into
Eq. (20), we obtain
s
λ∆T ρσκ′δ( s)3
r ∫0
−1
δ ( s ) ds = − (24)
3η
λη∆T δ( s ) 4
+ δ ( s ) δ ( s )′ κ′ +
3
or κ′′ = 0 , (25)
r σρ 3
Analysis of this equation was made in Adamek (1981). In accordance with Ada-
mek (1981), we introduce the following designations: c = ∆Tλη σrρ and l = δ4.
Then Eq. (25) takes the following form:
1 1
κ′l′ + κ′′l + c = 0 (26)
4 3
Multiplying it by 4 ( κ′ )
13
, we obtain
4
( κ′ ) 4 3 l ′ +
κ′′ ( κ′ ) 1 3l + 4c ( κ′ ) 1 3 = 0
3
Using the identity

(( κ′) l )′ = l′ ( κ′)
43 43 4
+ l ( κ′′ )
3
13

we get
s
l = 4 ( −κ′ ( s ) ) ∫ c ( −κ′ ( τ ) )
−4 3 13
dτ (27)
0
14
−1 3  
s
δ ( s ) = ( −κ′ ( s ) )  4 ∫ c ( −κ′ ( τ ) )
13
d τ (28)
 
 0 
8 O.A. KABOV, D.R. KOLYUKHIN, I.V. MARCHUK, J.-C. LEGROS

The following expression for the condensate flow along the fin can be obtained
from (24) and (28):

( −κ′ ( s ) )
s s 13
λ∆T λ∆T
r ∫0
−1
r ∫0  s
m= δ ( s ) ds = 14
ds (29)

 4c ∫ ( −κ′ ( τ ) ) d τ 
13
 
 0 
This equation can be integrated if the integral in the denominator of the right-hand
side is denoted as an unknown function F(s) and the following identity is used:
F′ 4
∫F 4
=
3∫
( F 3 4 )′
As a result, we obtain the following expression for the condensate mass flow:
34
ρσ  
s
 4 ∫ c ( −κ′ ( τ ) ) d τ 
13
m(s) = (30)
3η  0 

Expression (30) is simpler than expression (29), which was obtained by Adamek
(1981). It is easier to analyze the problem of steam condensation on a curvilinear
fin by using expression (30).

3. STEAM CONDENSATION ON A FAMILY OF ADAMEK SURFACES

Let us introduce, by analogy with Adamek (1981), a family of curvilinear surfaces
to fin the condensation surface. We write, however, all expressions in terms of an
arbitrary coordinate s. This is necessary to analyze the properties of the surface
and to change over to an extended surface:

κ ( s ) = κ0 − a s ξ , 0≤ξ<∞
(31)
κ ( s ) = a s ξ − κ0 , −1< ξ < 0

Here a > 0, κ0 and ξ are geometrical parameters of the surface. Note that, in con-
trast to Adamek (1981), we exclude the case where ξ = 0 from the family (31). Let
S1 be a point of inflexion of the film surface (κ(S1) = 0), and w is the angle be-
tween the vertical axis of symmetry of the fin and the radius of curvature of the
film surface at the point S1(w = θ(S1)). Using these relations, we pass to the model
parameters S1, w, ξ. Then

 ξ + 1  −( ξ+1)
a = ±w   S1 (32)
 ξ 
 ξ + 1  −1
κ0 = ±w   S1 (33)
 ξ 
 STEADY STEAM CONDENSATION ON AN EXTENDED SURFACE ... 9

and
 ξ + 1  −1
κ ( s) = w
 ξ 
(
 S1 − S1
−( ξ+1) ξ
s ) (34)

From (28), we obtain the following relation between the film thickness and the
new model parameters:
14
δ ( s ) = 12c ( w ( ξ + 1)( ξ + 2 ) ) S1ξ+1s 2−ξ 
−1
(35)
 

Then the average coefficient of heat transfer and the condensate flux on the sur-
face are represented as follows:
α ( w, S1 , ξ, s ) =
s
1 λ 14 (36)
= ∫ d τ = 2.149λ  c−1 ( ξ + 1)( ξ + 2 )−3 wS1−( ξ+1) s( ξ−2)  ,
s 0 δ ( τ) 

m ( w, S1 , ξ, s ) =
14
s
λ ∆T  λ ∆T 3 ρσ ( ξ + 1)  (37)
−( ξ+1) ( ξ+ 2 )
=∫ d τ = 2.149   wS s 
0
r δ ( τ ) 
 r  η ( ξ + 2 ) 3 1


The shape of the surface under consideration and the condensate flux as a func-
tion of the s-coordinate are shown in Figure 3. It is seen from (34) and (37) that
the shape of the surface and the condensate flux are determined by three geometri-
cal parameters of the surface. The parameters w and S1 are fixed in the calcu-
lations, and the effect of the parameter ξ alone is shown. In what follows, the
(a) (b)
1 1 0.00025 1
2 2
0.8 3 0.00020 3
4 4
5 5
m, kg/m ⋅ s

0.6 6 0.00015 6
Y/S1

0.4 0.00010

0.2 5E-005

0
0.2 0.4 0.6 0 0.0004 0.0008
X/S1 s, m

Figure 3. The shape of a surface proposed by Adamek (1981) (a); the condensate mass flux on the
fin surface (b). S1 = 10–3 m; w = π/2; ξ = –0.9 (1), –0.5 (optimal value in Adamek’s statement) (2),
–0.01 (3), 1 (4 ), 2 (Gregorig surface) (5), 4 (6 ).
10 O.A. KABOV, D.R. KOLYUKHIN, I.V. MARCHUK, J.-C. LEGROS

numerical calculations are performed for the condensation of water steam. The
following values of physical characteristics are used: Tw = 368.15 K, Ts = 373.15 K,
∆T = Ts – Tw = 5 K, λ = 0.678 J/(m⋅s⋅K), η = 0.000294 kg/(m⋅s), r = 2270381 J/kg,
σ = 0.0598 N/m, ρ = 961.7 kg/m3 at atmospheric pressure. At ξ → –1, an Ada-
mek surface represents narrow high fins most often used in industrial condensers
(Webb 1994). It was shown in Adamek (1981) that at ξ = –0.5 the condensate flux
at the point with coordinate s = S1 is maximal.
One can mention a further important property of Gregorig and Adamek sur-
faces. Expression (34) can be rewritten in the following form:
ξ
 ξ + 1  −1   s  
κ ( s) = w  S1 1 −   
 (38)
 ξ    S1  
 
Let us introduce non-dimensional coordinates
s
s =
S1
(39)
 s 
κ ( s ) = κ   S1
 S1 
Then, in the new coordinates, the equation for a surface from the family intro-
duced above takes the following form:

 ξ +1
κ ( s ) = w 
 ξ 
(
 1 − s
ξ
) (40)

It is seen from (40) that at fixed values of the parameters w and ξ all the surfaces
with various values of the parameter S1 are geometrically similar.

4. EXTENDED CONDENSATION SURFACE

It was assumed in Adamek (1981) that intensive condensation of steam takes place
on the section from the fin top to the point of inflexion of the film surface S1, and
a channel for the discharge of condensate under the action of gravity is located
below this. In this paper, we considered an extension of this family. The liquid is
continuously drawn off by a pump through a flute of width A on a section of the
condenser surface located between fins. Owing to this, intensive condensation
takes place on the entire fin surface, that is, up to the point of contact of the fin
surface with the base S2 of the condenser, and not to the point S1, as it was as-
sumed in the previous papers. It should be mentioned that such steam condensers
can be realized in the conditions of microgravitation, where the condensate is re-
moved due to the pressure difference caused by a pump.
The size of a fin along the s-coordinate is designated as length and the size
across the s-coordinate is designated as width. Let us determine the quantities S1
and S2 as functions of the model parameters a, κ0, and ξ.
 STEADY STEAM CONDENSATION ON AN EXTENDED SURFACE ... 11

dθ
κ= = κ0 − a s ξ , 0<ξ<∞ (41)
ds
Hence, the relation
S
(
θ = ∫ κ0 − as ξ ) ds = κ0 S −
a
ξ +1
S ξ+1 (42)
0

is satisfied at an arbitrary point S . It follows that κ = 0 at S = S1 , and, conse-

quently,
1ξ
κ 
κ0 = a S1ξ ⇒ S1 =  0  (43)
 a 
θ = 0 at S = S2 and, hence,
1ξ
a  κ ( ξ + 1) 
κ0 S2 = S2ξ+1 ⇒ S2 =  0  (44)
ξ +1  a 
Thus,
1ξ
S2 = ( ξ + 1) S1 (45)

This equation is also valid for surfaces

κ = a s ξ − κ0 , −1< ξ < 0
Equation (45) determines a relation between Gregorig and Adamek surfaces with
the extended surface in the general form and is a generalization of (16).
It follows from (37) and (45) that if S2 is fixed, the largest value of m at the en-
tire extended surface will be reached at ξopt = 0. The condensate flux is described
by the following equation:
s
λ ∆T
m ( w, S2 , ξ ) = ∫ dτ =
0
r δ ( τ)
14
 λ ∆T 3 ρσ
= 2.149 
( ξ + 1)( 2ξ+1) ξ wS  14
= C  f ( ξ ) wS2 
 2
 r
  η ( ξ + 2 )3 

14 14
( 2ξ+1) ξ
Here C = 2.149 ( λ ∆T r ) ( ρσ η ) w  , f ( ξ ) = ( ξ + 1) ( ξ + 2 )−3  .
3
  
It is seen from Figure 4 that the functions f(ξ) and f(ξ)1/4 have maxima at the same
point, and m(w, S2, ξ) is at its maximum at ξ = 0. Notice that we excluded the
value ξ = 0 from the family of curves under consideration and the maximum at this
point is an asymptotic one.
12 O.A. KABOV, D.R. KOLYUKHIN, I.V. MARCHUK, J.-C. LEGROS

0.5

0.3

f(ξ)
0.2

0.1

0
−1 0 1 2 3 4
ξ

Figure 4. Curve of the function f(ξ).

We can get rid of the limitation ξ ≠ 0 if, instead of (31), we consider the fol-
lowing family of surfaces:
κ′ = −a s ξ−1 (46)

Then the surface κ′ = θ′′ = −a s −1 will correspond to the case when ξ = 0. Using
the properties κ(S1) = 0, w = θ(S1), and θ(0) = 0, we can find a = w S1 . From
(28) and (30) we obtain
14
 4c S1 
δ( s) =   s1 2 (47)
 w 
14
ρσ w
m ( w, S1 , s ) = ( 6 c )3 4   s1 2 (48)
3η  S1 
Later, however, we will use, as before, the family of surfaces (31).
Fin shapes and the condensate flux as a function of the s-coordinate for various
values of the parameter ξ as the surface is extended to point S2 are shown in Fig-
ure 5. It is seen that the flux at the end of the extended surface increases several-
fold in comparison to Figure 3b for the same values of ξ. The length of the ex-
tended surface, however, also increases considerably. To find optimal surfaces, it
seems important to consider the characteristics of condensation taking into account
the increase in the area of the surface. Let us introduce the following parameters:
Sf
α1 = α, (49)
P
m
m1 = , (50)
P
 STEADY STEAM CONDENSATION ON AN EXTENDED SURFACE ... 13

(a) (b)
0.0004
3 1 1
2 2
3 0.0003 3

m, kg/m ⋅ s
Y/S1

0.0002

1
0.0001

0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 0 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004

X/S1 s, m

Figure 5. Fin shape for the extended surface (a); condensate mass flux (b). S1 = 10–3 m; w = π/2;
ξ = –0.5 (1), –0.01 (2), 2 (3).

Here Sf is the length of the generatrix of the film surface and P is the length of the
projection of the film surface. In this analysis, it is convenient to use Sf and P re-
lated to the surface of the liquid but not to the surface of the fin under considera-
tion. It should be mentioned that since the film thickness is only several tens of
µm, Sf and P are close to the sizes of the fin, and the coefficient of finning can be
determined as εA = Sf /P. For a more accurate calculation of the sizes of the fin, it
is necessary first to determine the shape of the surface of the liquid and then sub-
tract the value of the thickness of the condensate film.
The quantity m1 versus the length s of the generatrix of the surface for various
values of w at ξ = –0.5 (an optimal value according to Adamek) and ξ = 2 (Grego-
rig surface, Gregorig (1954)) is presented in Figures 6 a, b. The corresponding
(a) (b)
2 0.6
1 1
2 0.5 2
1.6
3 3
4 0.4 4
m1, kg/s ⋅ m2

m1, kg/s ⋅ m2

1.2 5 5
0.3
0.8
0.2

0.4 0.1

0 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004 0 0.0004 0.0008 0.0012 0.0016

s, m s, m
Figure 6. Condensate flux at the surface at ξ = –0.5 (a), 2 (b). w = 1.27 (1), 1.37 (2); 1.47 (3), 1.57 (4),
1.67 (5); S1 = 10–3 m.
14 O.A. KABOV, D.R. KOLYUKHIN, I.V. MARCHUK, J.-C. LEGROS

(a) (b)

3 1 1
2 1.2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
2 0.8
Y/S1

Y/S1
1 0.4

0 1 2 3 0 0.4 0.8 1.2

X/S1 X/S1

Figure 7. Finning surface shapes at ξ = –0.5 (a), 2 (b). w = 1.27 (1), 1.37 (2); 1.47 (3), 1.57 (4), 1.67 (5);
S1 = 10–3 m.

shapes of the finned surface are given in Figure 7. It is seen that the m1–s relation-
ship is qualitatively the same for both values of ξ. As the s-coordinate increases,
the flux first increases and then decreases. For an extended surface with ξ = 2, the
specific condensate flux at the final point is much greater than for a surface with
ξ = –0.5.

5. OPTIMAL SIZE OF AN EXTENDED SURFACE

The intensity of heat transfer is determined by the shape and size (length) of the
surface. An extended surface is completely determined by the parameters w, ξ,
and S1. If we consider the surface not to the point S2, but to an arbitrary point
s∈[0, S2], we need an additional parameter, s or s/S1. Let us assume that we know
the shape of a fin with an accuracy of up to the similarity parameter S1, that is, the
quantities s/S1 = C0, w, and ξ are fixed. We find an optimal value of the parame-
ter S1 that determines the length of the fin.
In accordance with the data presented in Section 3, the length of the fin projec-
tion P linearly depends on S1:
P = C1 S1 (51)

It is seen from relation (51) that the condensate mass flux depends on the parame-
ter S1 to power 1/4:

m = C2 S11 4 (52)

Here C1 and C2 are some constants that depend on the geometrical shape of the
fin. It is seen from (51) that as S1 decreases, a greater number of such fins can be
 STEADY STEAM CONDENSATION ON AN EXTENDED SURFACE ... 15

placed on the base of the condenser. The length of the projection of a fin on the
condenser base linearly depends on the parameter S1 Thus, theoretically the inten-
sity of heat transfer (m1) can be increased by an arbitrary number of times by
gradually decreasing the sizes of a fin on a fixed area of the condenser surface.
Therefore, to find a surface at which maximal heat transfer is provided one should
introduce a minimal fin height (or a length of the projection of a fin P or S1). The
introduction of a flute width A to draw off the liquid from a flute could be a possi-
ble limitation on the value of S1. It does not make sense to decrease the projection
of a fin to values much smaller than the minimal value of A because the total coef-
ficient of finning of the surface also decreases.
The total length of the projection of the condensation system for a half fin is
this:

X = P + A = C1 S1 + A (53)

Let us solve the problem m ( S1 ) X → max for S1. After simple transformations,
we obtain
A
S1opt = (54)
3 C1

That is, with a given shape of the film surface, S1opt linearly depends on A. Also,
notice that in this case at S1 = S1opt

A
P opt = (55)
3
It was assumed in Adamek (1981) that condensation takes place up to the point S1,
and next there was a channel to draw the condensate off. At these assumptions, an
optimal relation between the length of the tube surface at which condensation
takes place and the length of the liquid sink surface was obtained. It was equal
to 1/4. This result is close to the result obtained in this paper (1/3). It is easy to see
that the minimal value of A may be about 1–0.1 mm. That is, it seems that in some
cases the optimal values determined by relations (54) and (55) cannot be realized
technically.
Formula (55) was obtained under the assumption that, from technological con-
siderations, we have a minimal value A for the flute width to draw the condensate
off. In this case, however, the optimal width of the projection of the condensation
surface is even smaller. If such a fin is technically not easy to produce, one could
use the least possible values of S1 and P and, as previously, a flute with the small-
est width A that is sufficient to continuously draw the condensate off. Since P
linearly depends on S1, one can take the parameters P, w, and ξ instead of the
model parameters S1, w, and ξ. In what follows we take P = 10-3 m in our numeri-
cal calculations.
16 O.A. KABOV, D.R. KOLYUKHIN, I.V. MARCHUK, J.-C. LEGROS

6. EXTENDED GREGORIG SURFACE

The Gregorig surface is a particular case of the Adamek surface at ξ = 2, and it
provides the condition δ = const. It is seen from (35) that this is the only case
when δ ≠ 0. Both Gregorig and Adamek considered condensation on the surface of
a fin only to the inflexion point S1. For the extended Gregorig surface we obtain
the expression S2 = 3 S1 from (16) and (45). From Eq. (9), in the same way as in
Section 3, one can prove that all Gregorig surfaces with the same values of S1κ0
are geometrically similar. Therefore, one can fix the initial film curvature κ0 and,
varying S1, search for an optimal shape of the surface.
It is seen from (10) that the local average heat transfer coefficient α on the fin
decreases monotonically as S1 increases. The behavior of the average heat transfer
coefficient with allowance for the finning coefficient, α1 , however, is different
(Figure 8). In the numerical experiment, the Gregorig surface was extended not to
the point S2, but to the point sopt∈[S1, S2], at which an optimal value of m1 is
achieved.
It is seen from Figure 8 that the value S1κ0 = 3.24 is optimal. This is the last
point to the place of self-crossing of the surface (Figure 9). It is evident that since
this optimal fin has a thin base, it cannot be realized in practice.

200000
160000 1
α, α1, W/m2 ⋅ K

2
120000 0.004

80000
40000
0.003
0 1 2 3
S1/R0
Y, m

Figure 8. The average heat transfer coefficient vs. the parameter

S1κ0 for an extended Gregorig surface at κ0 = (10–3m)–1; 1 − α , 2 − 0.002
α1 (with allowance for the finning coefficient).

0.001

Figure 9. The Gregorig surface shape

at an optimal value of S1κ0 = 3.24. 0 0.0008
X, m
 STEADY STEAM CONDENSATION ON AN EXTENDED SURFACE ... 17

7. OPTIMIZATION OF THE CONDENSATION SURFACE SHAPE

With a fixed value of P = 10–3 m, there remain free parameters, w and ξ. It is seen
from (36) and (37) that the condensate mass flux and the average coefficient of
heat transfer increase monotonically as w increases. Results of numerical calcula-
tions of the heat transfer characteristics with allowance for the finning coefficient
of the surface are given in Figure 10. Here the surface is extended to an optimal
point sopt∈[S1, S2] at which a maximum value m1 is achieved. The results obtained
confirm that m1 increases monotonically as w increases. At a fixed w, the lines
have a maximum at some optimal value of ξ. As the angle w increases, the optimal
value of ξ tends to –1. Notice that at w < π/2 the flux m1 practically does not
change in a certain range of ξ(–0.5 < ξ < 1.5). The surface shape in this range of
values of the parameters ξ, w, and P is shown in Figure 11. It is seen that the sur-
face shape varies considerably. The above-mentioned fact makes it easier to
choose an optimal shape of the surface of a fin.
One can also see from Figure 10 that the parameter w is the determining factor
for the characteristics of heat transfer. However, as w > π/2 increases, there be-
gins a self-crossing of the film surface, especially at small values of ξ. And al-
though numerical calculations for this model can give better results, such data are
incorrect without allowance for heat conduction in a fin with a thin base. Analysis
of condensation with allowance for heat transfer in the body of a fin is not a task
of this investigation. It is assumed in the investigation that the Biot number
αP/λm << 1, and a constant temperature is maintained on the surface of the fin.

0.5

0.4
m1, kg/s ⋅ m2

0.3

1
0.2 2
3
4

0.1
−1 0 1
ξ

Figure 10. The condensate mass flux vs. the parameter ξ with allowance for the finning coefficient
at various values of w: 1.22 (1), 1.34 (2), 1.45 (3), 1.57 (4); P = 10–3m.
18 O.A. KABOV, D.R. KOLYUKHIN, I.V. MARCHUK, J.-C. LEGROS

0.002 1 3 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
0.0015
2
Y, m

Y/S1
0.001

1
0.0005

0
0 0.0008 −0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5
X, m X / S1
Figure 11. The shape of the film surface Figure 12. The shape of the film surface
at w = 1.45, and ξ = 0.01 (1), 0.5 (2), 1.0 at ξ = –0.5, and w = 1.76 (1), 1.5 (2),
(3), 1.5 (4); P = 10–3m. 1.7 (3), 1.9 (4 ).

The shape of the film surface at ξ = –0.5 for various values of w is presented in
Figure 12. At an optimal Adamek value, ξ = –0.5, a self-crossing of the surface
begins at w = 1.76. As w increases, the character of dependence of m1 on ξ in the
domain of small values of ξ (Figure 10) changes. It is shown in Figure 13 that at
small ξ mass flux m1 begins to increase rapidly at w > 1.5.
In [Adamek 1981], w = π/2 was used. This is the maximum value of w at
which it is guaranteed that the film surface does not have a self-crossing. Besides,
from the family under consideration, the shape of such a fin is closest to the shape
of a rectangular fin. Therefore, it can be assumed that such a fin is easiest to manu-
facture. The condensate mass flux m1 versus ξ for an Adamek surface s = S1 and
for cases when the surface is extended to points sopt and S2 is shown in Figure 14.
It is seen that for w = π/2 the extended surface is by 13–62% more effective than
the surface considered in Adamek (1981). Notice that at ξ > 0.42 the point sopt co-
incides with S2.
It is seen from Figures 10 and 14 that the value closest to –1 is an optimal value
of the parameter ξ for an extended surface at w ≥ π/2. It is, however, noted in
Webb (1988) that (34) yields κ0 = ∞ at ξ ≤ 0. Therefore, for reasons of feasibility
it was suggested to restrict the consideration to values of ξ > 0. It was also as-
sumed in the paper that the minimum radius of curvature that can be realized in
practice at the fin top is this: Rmin = 5⋅10–5 m or κmax = 2⋅104 m–1.
 STEADY STEAM CONDENSATION ON AN EXTENDED SURFACE ... 19

0.5
1
2
0.4

m1, kg/s.m2 0.3

0.2

0.1

0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6

w

Figure 13. The condensate mass flux vs. the parameter w with allowance for the finning coefficient.
ξ = –0.9 (1), –0.8 (2); P = 10–3 m.

0.6
1
0.5
2
m1, kg/s ⋅ m2

0.4 3

0.3

0.2
0.1
−1 0 1 2 3
ξ

Figure 14. The condensate mass flux m1 vs ξ at w = π/2 at Adamek surface extended to the
points: sopt (1), S1 (2), S2 (3);
P = 10–3 m.

Figure 15 shows the fin surface shape at ξ = 0.03. In this case S1 = 1.84⋅10–3,
sopt = 3.62⋅10–3 m, κ0 = 1.87⋅104 m–1, and the liquid flux m1 = 0.374 kg/(m2⋅s). The
fin surface shape at ξ = 0.03 and κ0 = 1.87⋅104 m–1 extended to the point S2 is also
shown in Figure 15. This surface is only 3% less efficient.
It was assumed at the construction of the model (18)–(20) that the gravitational
forces are negligibly small in comparison to the capillary forces. This condition is
satisfied if the Bond number Bo is much smaller than unity. The following expres-
sion was obtained in Webb (1988):
ρg ρ g S1ξ+1
Bo = = 1 (56)
( )
σκ ′ σ w ( ξ + 1) s ξ−1
20 O.A. KABOV, D.R. KOLYUKHIN, I.V. MARCHUK, J.-C. LEGROS

1
2
0.003

0.002

Y, m
0.001

0 0.0008
X, m

Figure 15. The film surface shapes at extension to the points: sopt(1), S2 (2), ξ = 0.03.

Expression (56) is valid also for extended surface. It is seen from (56) that this
condition is always satisfied in the microgravity condition. If Bo ≅ 1, the force of
gravity affects the flow considerably. Besides, to use the model (18)–(20) cor-
rectly, it is necessary to satisfy condition (22). It is shown in Figure 16, with s
varying from 0 to the point S2, that under Earth’s gravitation conditions (56) and
(22) are satisfied satisfactorily at S1 ≅ 10–4 m, that is, for surfaces about 1 mm in
length. Recall that R = ∞ at s = S1. Therefore, in Figure 16, δ/R at this point is
equal to zero.
(a) (b)
0.003 0.4

0.3
0.002
|δ/R|
Bo

0.2

0.001
0.1

0 0.0001 0.0002 0.0003 0 0.0001 0.0002 0.0003

s, m s, m

Figure 16. Criteria of applicability of the model under Earth’s gravitation; ξ = 0.01, w = π/2,
S1 = 4⋅10–4m.
 STEADY STEAM CONDENSATION ON AN EXTENDED SURFACE ... 21

8. CONCLUSIONS
The theoretical investigation of stationary steam condensation on curvilinear fins
described by an equation for a spiral with a variable direction of rotation started in
Gregorig (1954) was continued in this paper. It was proposed to extend the well-
known surfaces of condensation proposed in Gregorig (1954) and Adamek (1981)
to obtain more optimal fins. The fin shape obtained has made it possible to in-
crease the length of the surface at which the condensate film moves under the ac-
tion of the capillary pressure gradient by 73% and more. Mathematical analysis
and numerical calculations were carried out for the case when the condensate was
drawn away from the center of a flute.
The properties of these surfaces, which are described in the general case by four
parameters, have been analyzed. The effects of these parameters on the intensity of
heat transfer have been analyzed analytically and numerically. The condensate
mass flux per unit length of film surface projection has been optimized. The
shapes of fins that can be realized in practice have been calculated. At the use of
an extended surface that can be manufactured by traditional methods, the conden-
sate flux can be by 62% greater than at the use of the surface proposed in Adamek
(1981). For extended surfaces in a rather wide range of geometrical sizes of fins,
the condensate flux varies only slightly. This fact makes it possible to choose “the
most technological” fins for practical use.
The calculations performed have shown that fins of minimum length should be
used. In the best case, for any fin shape from the family under consideration, the
ratio between the width P of a fin and the width A of a flute between the fins
through which the condensate is drawn off is 1:3. Thin fins are most optimal in
this statement. In subsequent studies, for a more correct description of heat trans-
fer at steam condensation on finned surfaces, it is necessary to consider heat con-
duction in the fin body. Conditions of applicability of the model at Earth’s gravi-
tation were considered in the last section of this paper.
From the point of view of practical application, this problem statement most
fully corresponds to condensation under the microgravity condition. At steam con-
densation on conventional vertical and horizontal tubes without removal of the
condensate, and with a given kind of fins, calculations will provide the greatest
possible intensification of heat transfer, i.e., a certain theoretical limit. In this way,
this paper can be used to construct condensation surfaces for industrial devices.

Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of this work by the Russian Foun-
dation for Basic Research (Grant for Support of Leading Scientific Schools
No. 00-15-96810) and financial support by Euro Heat Pipes S.A. (Brussels).

NOMENCLATURE
A width of a flute to draw the condensate off, m
Bo Bond number
g gravitational acceleration, m/s
m condensate flux, kg/(m⋅s)
22 O.A. KABOV, D.R. KOLYUKHIN, I.V. MARCHUK, J.-C. LEGROS

m1 condensate flux per unit length of fin projection surface, kg/(m2⋅s)

P length of film surface projection, m
p pressure, N/m2
R radius of film surface curvature, m, radius of tube, m
r heat of phase transition, J/kg
S1 coordinate of inflexion point, m
S2 coordinate of contact of film surface with condenser surface, m
s coordinate along the film surface, m
sopt optimal coordinate along film surface to which the fin is extended, m
T film temperature, K
Ts steam saturation temperature, K
Tw wall temperature, K
∆T temperature difference Ts.– Tw, K
u(s,y) film flow velocity, m/s
w angle between the vertical and radius of curvature at inflexion point S1
y coordinate

Greek Symbols
α coefficient of convective heat transfer, W/(m2⋅K)
α average coefficient of convective heat transfer, W/(m2⋅K)
α1 average coefficient of convective heat transfer with allowance
for the finning coefficient, W/(m2⋅K)
δ film thickness, m
εA coefficient of finning (surface area ratio)
η coefficient of dynamic viscosity, kg/(m⋅s)
θ angle between the vertical and the radius of curvature
κ curvature of the film surface, l/m
κ0 curvature of the film surface on the fin top, l/m
λ heat conductivity coefficient of the liquid, J/(m⋅s⋅K)
λm heat conductivity coefficient of the fin, J/(m⋅s⋅K)
ξ geometrical parameter of the surface
ρ density of liquid, kg/m3
σ coefficient of surface tension, N/m
φ angle between the vertical and the tangent to the surface

Indices
0 initial value
opt optimal
s saturation
w wall

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