THE INFLUENCE OF NONCONDENSABLE GASES ON CONDENSATION INSIDE

TUBES: AN EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS

CARUSO G. - NAVIGLIO A.
DIPARTIMENTO DI INGEGNERIA NUCLEARE E CONVERSIONI DI ENERGIA
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA LA SAPIENZA
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 244 - 00186 ROMA
Tel. 06-6868095- Fax. 06-6868489 - e-mail caruso@dinceal1.din.uniroma1.it

ABSTRACT
The Department of Ingegneria Nucleare e Conversioni di Energia of the University of
Rome La Sapienza has been carried out an experimental campaign to analyse the in-tube
steam condensation heat transfer, in the presence of high percentage of noncondensables at
atmospheric pressure. Vapour-air mixture condensation tests were performed for different
tube inclinations, steam mass flow rates, power level and noncondensable concentration in the
mixture. Noncondensable gases mixed with steam strongly affect condensation heat transfer
coefficient. Tests carried out during the experimental campaign showed that condensation
heat transfer coefficient decreases to 50% of the original value when mixture air percentage
varies from 0% to 2%, while with a percentage of air of 10% the condensation heat transfer
coefficient is reduced to 10% of the condensation heat transfer coefficient with pure steam. A
reduction of another order of magnitude (leading to 1% of the pure steam condensation
coefficient) is attained with air concentration of some 50%. In the paper, the main results
obtained in the experimental campaign and the analysis performed are presented and
discussed.
INTRODUCTION
An innovative emergency cooling system for industrial applications foresees the removal
of heat from the plant through an intermediate cooling loop which draws heat from the
containment to be cooled. The heat is utilised to heat up an external pool, where boiling takes
place at atmospheric pressure and the steam produced is sent to a condenser externally cooled
by air. Several designs for the condensing units may be proposed. A design has been proposed
with condensing unit conceived to operate with high concentration of noncondensable gases
in the steam to condense, in order to avoid an operation of the whole system under vacuumor pressurised-conditions, with a negative effect for the overall reliability.
In order to allow a suitable design of such a component, a fundamental aspect to be
analysed is the behaviour of steam condensation when non-condensable gases are present.
The main objectives of the COTINCO project, carried out by the University of Rome "La
Sapienza" with a financial support by the EU, were:
To investigate the physical phenomena involved in condensation of steam within tubes.
To study the influence of the geometry (namely, the tube inclination) on the heat transfer
rate, also in presence of high concentration of noncondensable gases.
To develop models and heat transfer correlations for the given conditions.

To produce a database for modeling in-tube condensation with high percentage of

noncondensables.

The results obtained through the COTINCO test facility are useful to identify the order of
magnitude of the effect of noncondensable gases high-concentration in a condensing steam
stream, with respect to the overall heat transfer coefficient. These have allowed to identify the
preliminary design requirements for inclined-tube, atmospheric-pressure operating, high
noncondensable gas concentration steam condensers, to be used for totally static emergency
cooling and heat removal systems.
LITERATURE SURVEY ON CONDENSATION INSIDE TUBES
In order to assess the knowledge reached nowadays concerning in tube condensation with
non-condensable gas, most of the experimental and analytical works available in the literature
about film-wise condensation (with or without non-condensable gas) have been reviewed. The
rate of heat transfer for film condensation may be predicted as a function of bulk and surface
temperatures, total bulk pressure, surface liquid film characteristics, geometry, bulk velocity
and the presence of non-condensable gases. In order to describe the phenomenon of
condensation in presence of noncondensable gas we have three fundamental parameters:
noncondensable gases percentage, geometry, mixture flow pattern. On the other hand, the
only parameter really relevant to condensation of a pure vapour is the condensate film
thickness.
Film condensation of saturated vapour inside horizontal tubes
Recently Boyko and Kruzhilin [25] suggested a correlation to estimate the average
condensation heat transfer coefficient inside a tube with 100% condensation, annular flow,
independently from tube orientation. In 1989 Volkov and Al. [5] presented a new correlation
of the same experimental data for the vapour velocity effect on the average condensation heat
transfer in vertical tubes, while later Krektunov and Al. [6] developed an analytical model to
provide local and average condensation heat transfer coefficient for both vertical and
horizontal tubes. The stratified flow pattern corresponds to a region of small vapour velocity
and low interfacial shear forces. In these circumstance the Nusselt equation for condensation
on the outside of a horizontal tube can be applied in a modified form (Chato, 1962).
The annular flow can be analysed with the correlations of Carpenter and Colburn [1], of
Soliman [2], of Dukler [3] and Kunz and Yerazunis [4]. Analytical studies on local
condensation heat transfer coefficient were performed by Azer et Al. [7], Abis [9] and later
by Traviss and Al. [8]. Recently Chitti and Anand [10] developed an analytical model of the
annular flow to predict the local heat transfer coefficient for forced convective condensation
inside smooth horizontal tubes.
In-tube condensation with noncondensable gases
Morgan and Rush [12] (1983) made early experimental investigations concerning in tube
condensation with noncondensable gas. They carried out experimental measurements in
vertical tubes. Before this, some experimental studies with or without noncondensables inside
tubes were made by Borishanski et Al. [13] (1982), [14] (1978), [15] (1977) and by
Ivashchenko et Al. [16] (1989). These works referred mainly to forced convection
condensation inside vertical tubes and all their results were reported as length averaged heat
transfer coefficients. Borishanski and Al. correlated their experimental data as a function of

noncondensable concentration in the form of a correction factor to the pure steam

condensation condensate film thermal resistance. Vierow [17] (1990) recognized that in the
presence of noncondensable gases the local heat transfer coefficient has to be calculated
because the wall temperature is not uniform, the wall heat flux does not follow the Nusselt
prediction and the reference state for the heat transfer coefficient varies in the flow direction.
It was further recognized that the heat transfer coefficient should be based on the difference
between the saturation temperature at local bulk vapour partial pressure and the local wall
temperature. Subsequently Vierow and Schrock [18] (1991) carried out experimental
investigation on condensation inside a vertical tube of a natural circulation air-steam loop.
They proposed a correlation for the local heat transfer coefficient in the form of a local
degradation factor, expressing the ratio between the condensation heat transfer coefficient
with the noncondensable gas presence and the Nusselt film heat transfer coefficient. Later
Ogg [19] made experiments using forced flow in stainless steel tubes. He ran air/steam and
helium/steam experiments in a vertical tube with mixture turbulent flow. Ogg [19] correlated
his data in the form used by Vierow and Schrock [18]. Siddique et Al. [20] carried out
experimental investigation using forced flow in vertical tube. He carried out experiments with
steam/air and steam/helium mixtures and obtained a model that can be used to predict the
local condensation heat transfer coefficient inside tubes. Kageyama [21] carried out an
experimental investigation using a glass tube. However, it is to be noted that the data sets of
Ogg [19], Siddique [20] and Kageyama [21] did not agree with each other and the difference
among them exceeded the experimental error estimates. Kageyama et Al. [22] carried out
also a survey with the aim of finding a procedure able to provide local condensation rate
inside tubes. Kageyama et Al. [22] developed an empirical model based on a modified DittusBoelter formulation presented by Gilliland [23] and used an "effective condensation thermal
conductivity" (Peterson [11]). Using experience obtained through the experimental
investigations carried out by Ogg [19], Siddique [20], and Kageyama [21] Kuhn, Schrock
and Peterson [27] designed and built a new apparatus with the aim at obtaining an extensive
new data base for pure steam, steam/air mixtures and steam/helium mixtures. They presented
three different correlations: the first one implementing the degradation method initially
proposed by Vierow and Schrock [18], the second one applying the Diffusion Layer Theory
(DLT) initially proposed by Peterson et Al. [11], and the third one based on a mass transfer
conductance model [28]. Finally, Hasanein, Kazimi e Golay [26] conducted an analytical
and experimental investigation to determine the effects of the presence of noncondensable
gases on in-tube condensation under forced convection conditions.
In conclusion, a large number of analytical and experimental analyses was performed to
investigate the effects of noncondensable gases on condensation, but a little and restricted
knowledge is available on condensation with high noncondensable gases concentration, in
non stationary conditions and inside horizontal and inclined tubes. The experimental activity
carried out with the COTINCO test section has contributed to face this lack of information.
TEST FACILITY
The experimental facility was designed in order to achieve performance information
regarding a passive heat removal system. The experimental facility had also to simulate the
transient operation mode of the atmospheric pressure condenser. The main components of the
experimental facility are shown in fig. 1. It mainly consists of an atmospheric steam
generator, a mixing tank and a condensation test section. The main experimental loop

includes a steam generator connected by means of a stainless steel pipe to a mixing tank with
a capacity of 1000 liters, valves and fittings. The mixing tank is connected to the test section
by means of stainless steel pipes and fittings. The experimental facility instrumentation
collects data on pressures, temperatures and flow rates with suitable equipment and it
performs the measurement of the air concentration in the mixture through a dedicated gaschromatographyc system. A detailed description of the experimental loop and measurement
instrumentation may be found in [29].
The power available is 6 kW,
but the test section has been
designed to operate in the range
of 34.5 kW. This condition
allows the availability of enough
power to compensate heat losses
and eventually to make tests
with higher power level. The
test section has been realized
through two coaxial tubes. The
inner one is in stainless steel and
the air-steam mixture flows
inside. The outside tube is
transparent and made of plastic,
to directly verify the coolant
flow conditions. According to
different test requirements,
inside the stainless steel tube,
both hot water (characterization
tests), and vapour (pure vapour
tests) or air-vapour mixture
(vapour-noncondensables tests)
can flow.
FIGURE 1: COTINCO TEST FACILITY
In all tests the cooling water flows through the annulus in counter-current with respect to
the inner fluid flow. At the beginning of the transient for non-steady state tests with vapourair mixture, this flow pattern allows a higher heat flow rate than that in co-current flow, for a
given coolant temperature increase. The inner diameter of the test tube has been selected
equal to 22 mm, to allow a stratified steam flow for each possible power value. The inner tube
thickness of 1.5 mm has been selected to reduce the wall heat resistance as much as possible.
The gap size between the two tubes is 3.5 mm. The test section is instrumented with several
thermocouples with the aim at describing accurately fluid and tube temperatures along the test
section itself: 33 thermocouples are located in the test section. More detail description of the
thermocouple location is documented in [29].
Tests with pure vapour
At the beginning of the experimental condensation tests, pure vapour condensation tests
were carried out. The values obtained experimentally with pure vapour are selected as
reference values to estimate noncondensable effects on the condensation process.

Tests with pure vapour were carried out at the power level (i.e. vapour flow rate) of 100%
(with a nominal power of 6 k W), 80%, 70%, 60% and 50%. Tests were also performed with
several cooling water flow rates with the test section inclination of 0, 15, 30 and 45.
Some preliminary tests were performed to characterise the vapour production for different
power levels. The aim of these tests was to obtain a curve by which vapour flow rate at the
exit of the steam generator could be evaluated once the voltage applied to the power control
systems was known.
Table 1 summarises the main test conditions with pure steam.
Once the mean temperatures were calculated the
N of Inclin. Steam mass flux
cooling water temperature profile was obtained
tests
[kg/m2s]
fitting the experimental values. The overall test
26
0
1.2-5.45
section was divided into two regions: the
9
5
2.34-3.36
condensation region and the subcooling region.
30
15
0.85-5.48
Thermal power was evaluated in different ways, a
14
30
2.34-5.37
comparison was made between the measured electric
9
45
2.34-3.35
power and that obtained through the measured
values.
TAB. 1 - TESTS WITH PURE STEAM
Condensation power and subcooling power were evaluated utilizing vapour flow rate and
condensate flow rate measurements. Using subcooling power and data on flow inlet
temperature to the test section, the refrigerant temperature mean value at the end of
condensation region was evaluated.
The evaluation of the condensation length was obtained by using condensate mass flow
measurements and coolant temperature profile. As pointed out before condensation power
was evaluated using condensate measurements and the condensation length was calculated by
integrating coolant temperature profile up to the length Lcond that provided power balance
between the condensation power and the coolant power in the condensation region. Fig. 2
shows the condensation length as a function of steam flow rate, for a fixed coolant flow rate.
Pcond ,c = c =

Lcond

dT

cw C p ,cw dx dx

(1)

Condensation length
1.200
1.000

Coolant flow rate 100-120 kg/h

Lc [m]

0.800

0
5
15
30
45

0.600
0.400
0.200
0.000
0.0E+00

5.0E-04

1.0E-03

1.5E-03

2.0E-03
2

Steam inlet mass flux [kg/m s]

FIG. 2 - CONDENSATION LENGTH

2.5E-03

where T(x) is the average

annular temperature profile
evaluated
fitting
the
temperature data.
Once the condensation
length was evaluated, the
average heat flux in the
condensation and subcooling
regions
was
calculated. The global heat
transfer coefficient was
evaluated for different
geometric
conditions
(inclination of the test
section), power and cooling

water flow rate. The value of the overall heat transfer coefficient in the condensation and
subcooling regions was calculated using the evaluated local heat flux and the logarithmic
mean temperature difference (LMTD):

qcond
qsub
U ext , s =
(2)
LMDTc
LMDTs
With the geometry of the test section, the overall heat transfer coefficient can be expressed
through the relationship:
U ext , c =

r r ln(re ri )
1
U est = 1 e + e
(3)
+
h1 r
kacc
he
i

As a consequence, in order to evaluate the internal heat transfer coefficient in the two
regions of the test section, the cooling water heat transfer coefficient in the same regions was
preliminarily calculated. The external heat transfer coefficient was evaluated using the
correlation
0 ,27

Nu f = 0 ,25 Re f
(4)

w
obtained with specific characterization tests carried out by the authors.
In this correlation, the Nusselt, Reynolds and Prandt numbers of the cooling water are
calculated at film temperature.
The condensation heat transfer coefficient obtained experimentally was compared with the
condensation heat transfer coefficient calculated by using some correlations available in
literature. These correlations are essentially modified Nusselt correlations:
0 ,47

1
Pr f 3

for horizontal tubes and low vapour velocity and interface shear stress, Chato's
correlation (1962) may be used:

( v )g k 3 f
hf = F f f
D f (Tvi Tw )

(5)

where F = 1 F and F is reported in Tab 2 as a function of (fig. 3):

F'()
F'()
F'()

0
0.725
70
0.517
130
0.248
10
0.712
80
0.476
140
0.199
20
0.689
90
0.433
150
0.150
30
0.661
100
0.389
160
0.100
40
0.629
110
0.343
170
0.050
50
0.594
120
0.296
180
0.000
60
0.557
TAB. 2 - F FACTOR AS A FUNCTION OF THE ANGLE , FOR A
LAMINAR, STRATIFIED FLOW INSIDE A HORIZONTAL TUBE

FIG. 3 - CHATO MODEL

for horizontal tubes Butterworth and Owens's equation (1984) may be used
up down
hi = hi + 1 hi
(6)

where
f ( f v )g k 3 f 4
= F ( )

D f (Tvi Tw )

up

Region 1

(7)

and
k
0 45
hi down = 0,012 l Rel , F ( )
Di

Region 2

(8)
FIG. 4 - TWO-REGION MODEL FOR CONDENSATE FILM

where F () is obtained as a function of (Fig 4 and Tab 3), while is obtained with the
following relations:

0 ,1
06
0,5
= 0,27 Rev Rev Re f 6,4 10 5 Ga

F()

(9)
1,74 10 5 Ga
06
0,5
5
0
0.9036
=

Re

Re

6
,
4

10

Ga
v
f
20
0.9017

(Rev Re f )0,5
40
0.8962
0.5
( l v )
60
0.8869
+ 1
F ( ) = 1 +
80
0.8738
v

100
0.8566
120
0.8350
For inclined tubes, the modified Nusselt correlation has
140
0.8083
been used:
160
0.7750
1
180
0.7279
f ( f v )g 3
h f = 1,2 k f
(10)

2
TAB. 3 - FACTOR F()
f (Re f )

FOR DIFFERENT ANGLES

where Re f = 2

f
f L

cos( ) applicable if the following relation is satisfied:

L
1,8 tan( ) .
D

The comparison between the experimentally obtained condensation heat transfer

coefficient and the values obtained using the above mentioned correlations is shown in Fig 5
for different cooling water flow rates, power level and test section inclination. The calculated
values over predict the values obtained experimentally for test section inclinations of 0, 5,
15 and 30, while there is a good agreement between the experimental and calculated values
with an inclination of 45. The difference between the values obtained experimentally and the
theoretical ones decrease as the test section inclination increases. The reason is related to the
structure of the correlation used to calculate the condensation coefficient with inclined tubes.
In fact this correlation has been proposed to calculate the average heat transfer coefficient on
the outside of a round horizontal or inclined tube, where condensate produced does not
accumulate, but it is drained out by gravity forces. Inside the tubes, the condensate is
collected in the bottom region of the tube itself, and it reduces the condensation heat transfer

coefficient averaged on the whole surface. The correlation can not account for the condensate
layer, so it overpredicts the condensation heat transfer coefficient inside tubes. On the other
hand, with on increasing tube inclination, the condensate collected in the bottom region is
drained out, and the calculated condensation heat transfer coefficient with the previous
correlation and the experimentally obtained condensation heat transfer coefficient become
similar, and the greater the inclination is, more similar the condensation heat transfer
coefficients are. For an inclination of 45, experimental and theoretical condensation heat
transfer coefficients assume the same values.
Chato's correlation has been modified applying a factor of 0.837, and a better agreement
with the experimental data has been obtained (see fig. 6).
Nusselt's correlation for condensation outside tubes with a term taking into account the
inclination, shows a good agreement for the 45 position. For 5, 15 and 30 inclination, the
correlation has been modified as follows:
- g 1/ 3
v
h i = 1.2 k f f 2/3f
(11)

0.381
f Re f

to obtain a good agreement with the experimental results (fig. 6)

( (

))

Results of pure vapour condensation tests

Pure vapour condensation tests were performed to evaluate the heat transfer coefficient
inside tubes with different inclinations, mass flow rates and power levels.
Tests were performed with several cooling water flow rates, test section inclination of 0,
5, 15, 30, and 45, and different power levels. The tests were performed in steady state
conditions.
Tests with a different inclination of the test section indicate that condensation heat transfer
coefficient increases with the inclination of the test section (Fig. 7). The condensation heat
transfer coefficient increase due to the tube inclination was well predicted through the
correlations available. In fact, with tube inclination increasing, the condensate collected in the
bottom of the tube increases its velocity, enhancing the average condensation heat transfer
coefficient.
Tests with different power levels showed that condensation length increased with power
level, but condensation heat transfer coefficient was substantially unchanged. However all
these tests were performed with low vapour mass flow, and this is the reason why the effect
on the condensation heat transfer coefficient was negligible.
Tests with different cooling flow rates were performed to obtain different condensation
lengths and to adjust the condensation length with the aim at reducing its evaluation error.
Tests with noncondensable gases
The aim of vapour-air mixture tests was to evaluate the condensation heat transfer
coefficient with noncondensable gases in the mixture. This analysis was performed with
different test section inclinations and power levels. Cooling water flow rates were chosen to
minimise refrigerant stratification inside the annulus and at the same time to obtain a
consistent condensation surface.
Tests with air-vapour mixture were performed with one or both electric heaters switched
on. With both heaters and hence a nominal power level of 6 or 3 kW, tests were performed
with 100%, 80%, 70%, 60% and 50% of the nominal power. Tests were performed with

several cooling water flow rates, test section inclination of 0, 15, 30 and 45 and with
different air vapour mixture composition.
N of Inclin. Gas concen- Steam mass
tests
tration [%] flux [kg/m2s]
14
0
1.8-46.9
2.69-3.85
10
5
3.3-25.1
3.25-4.8
33
15
1.5-71.5
1.61-4.47
8
30
2.0-50.7
2.24-3.44
7
45
1.7-25.1
2.46-3.4
TAB. 4 - TESTS WITH NONCONDENSABLES
Inlet air-vapour composition was
obtained by regulating air flow rate
without changing the vapour flow rate, i.e.
the power level.

However, in such cases, to reach higher

noncondensable percentage inside the
vapour-air mixture, vapour flow rate was
decreased. This was necessary because of
air flow meter saturation, which did not
allow air flow rate measurements over 20
SLPM. This problem was solved using
three air flow meters in parallel. The air
flow rate obtained in this configuration
was 23 SLPM. Table 4 summarises the
tests performed.

Results of vapour-air mixture condensation tests

Vapour-air mixture condensation tests were performed for different tube inclinations,
coolant mass flow rates, power level and noncondensables concentration inside the mixture.
The aim of the experimental tests was to obtain an experimental evaluation of the
condensation heat transfer coefficient with an increasing air percentage inside the mixture for
different test section inclinations and power levels.
Tests with vapour-air mixtures indicate that noncondensable gases have a strong influence
on condensation heat transfer coefficient. The condensation heat transfer coefficient decreases
in the presence of noncondensable gases; its decrease is sharp even with little gas percentage
inside the mixture. With the same conditions (test section inclination, power level and cooling
flow rate), the higher the air percentage is, the lower the condensation heat transfer coefficient
becomes. The effect of noncondensable gases in the mixture on condensation heat transfer
coefficient is always very strong at low noncondensable gas concentration in the mixture,
while as noncondensable gas percentage increases, the effect on condensation heat transfer
coefficient becomes less sharp in all experimental conditions.
The condensation heat transfer coefficient decreases to 50% of its original values when the
air percentage in the mixture changes from 0% to 2%, while with a percentage of air of 10%
the condensation heat transfer coefficient is reduced to 10% of the condensation heat
coefficient with pure vapour.
By increasing air percentage the condensation heat transfer coefficient continues its
decrease, but to reduce it of another order of magnitude (1% of the pure vapour condensation
coefficient) the mixture air percentage has to reach the value of 50%. By further increasing
the air mixture concentration the heat transfer coefficient decreases slowly.
Tests with different inclinations of the experimental facility indicate that condensation heat
transfer coefficients increase with inclination of the test section with low air mixture
concentration. This effect does not occur at higher gas concentrations.
In fact by increasing noncondensable percentage inside the vapour-air mixture, the thermal
resistance of condensate film becomes negligible in comparison with the thermal resistance of

the vapour-gas mixture and hence the test section inclination has no appreciable effect on the
condensation heat transfer.
In fig. 8, the complete set of experimental data in steady-state conditions is reported, as the
ratio of the air-steam heat transfer coefficient and the value for pure steam condensation. In
the figure, the following regression curve is also shown, valid for W > 1%:

hc
= 0.0118 W 0.86
hc 0

(12)

CONCLUDING REMARKS
An experimental campaign to analyse the in-tube steam condensation heat transfer, in the
presence of high percentage of noncondensables at atmospheric pressure, has been carried out
at the Department of Ingegneria Nucleare e Conversioni di Energia of the University of
Rome La Sapienza. Pure vapour and vapour-air mixture condensation tests were performed
for different inclinations, coolant mass flow rates, power level and noncondensable
concentration inside the mixture. For pure steam condensation a good agreement with some
literature correlations has been obtained. Tests with steam-air mixtures show that
noncondensable gases have a strong influence on the condensation heat transfer coefficient. It
decreases to 50% of its original value when the mixture air percentage varies from 0% to 2%,
while with a percentage of air of 10% the condensation heat transfer coefficient is reduced to
10% of the condensation heat coefficient with pure vapour. A reduction of another order of
magnitude (1% of the pure vapour condensation coefficient) is obtained with air concentration
of about 50%. A simple best-fit correlation has been presented.
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[21] T. Kageyama - Application of Diffusion Layer Theory to Vertical Downflow Condensation Heat Transfer MS Thesis, University of California at Berkeley (1992).
[22] T. Kageyama, P. F. Peterson, V. E. Schrock - Diffusion Layer Modeling for Condensation in Vertical Tubes
with Noncondensable Gases - Nuclear Eng. and Design, 141, (1993) 289-302.
[23] R. Gilliland, T. K. Sherwood - Diffusion of vapours into air stream - Ind. Engng. Chem., 26 (1934) 516-523.
[24] S. Z. Kuhn, V. E. Schrock, P. F. Peterson - Final Report on U. C. Berkeley Single Tube Condensation
Studies - UCB-NE-4201, Rev. 2, August (1994).
[25] L. D. Boyko, G. N. Kruzhilin - Heat Transfer and Hydraulic Resistance during Condensation of Steam in a
Horizontal Tube and in a Bundle of Tubes - Int. J. Heat Mass Tr., 10, 361-373, 1967.
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noncondensable gases - Int. J. Heat Mass Tr, Vol. 39, No. 13, pp. 2625-2639, 1996.
[27] S. Z. Kuhn, V. E. Schrock, P. F. Peterson - An investigation of condensation from steam-gas mixture flowing
downward inside a vertical tube - Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of Berkeley, Ca 947201730, USA, Nureth 7, Sep. 1995
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Commission - DABASCO Project CONT- DABASCO(99)-D006, Dec. 1999

NOMENCLATURE
cp =

specific heat at constant press.[J/(kg K)]

D=
inner tube diameter
[m]
G=
u mass velocity
[kg/(m2s)]
g=
gravity constant
[m/s2]
h=
heat transfer coefficient
[W/(m2K)]
HTC = heat transfer coefficient
[W/(m2K)]
k=
thermal conductivity
[W/(mK)]
L=
condensation length
[m]
LMTD= logarithmic mean temperature diff. [K]
=
Mass flow rate
[kg/s]

q =
r e=
ri=
T=
U=
W=
=
=
=

heat flux
[W/m2]
ext. radius of the stainless steel tube [m]
int. radius of the stainless steel tube [m]
temperature
[K]
overall heat transfer coefficient
[W/m2 K]
mass fraction
latent heat
[J/kg]
density
[kg/m3]
dynamic viscosity
[kg/(m s)]
condensation angle (figs. 3 and 4)

Acknowledgement
This activity has been performed with the financial support of the MURST (60%) and EU
(Contract FI4S CT-96-0042).

Steady-state tests

18000

18000

16000

16000
2

Theor. HTC [W/m K]

Theor. HTC [W/m2K]

Steady-state tests

14000
12000
0 Chato
0 Butterworth
5 Nusselt outside
15 Nusselt outside
30 Nusselt outside
45 Nusselt outside

10000
8000
6000
6000

FIGS. 5-6

8000

10000
12000
14000
2
Exp. HTC [W/m K]

16000

14000
12000
0 Modif. Chato
5 Modif. Nusselt

10000

15 Modif. Nusselt

8000

30 Modif. Nusselt
45 Nusselt

6000
6000

18000

8000

10000
12000
14000
Exp. HTC [W/m2K]

16000

18000

THEORETICAL HTC (CHATO, BUTTERWORTH, NUSSELT) VS EXPERIMENTAL HTC (INCLINATION AS PARAMETER)

ORIGINAL AND MODIFIED CORRELATIONS)
Steady-state tests

Steady-state tests
0.5

100000

0.45

10000

0.35
HTC/HTC0

HTC [W/m2K]

0.4
0
5
15
30
45

1000

hc/hc0 = 0,0118 W

0.3

- 0,86 (W > 1%)

R2 = 0,9251

0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0

100
0%

10%

20%

30%

40%
W [%]

50%

60%

FIG. 7 - HTC VS W[%] (INCLINATION AS PARAMETER)

70%

80%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

W [%]

FIG. 8 - HTC/HTC0 RATIO VS W[%]

60%

70%

80%