Drop wise Condensation on Oily Surface

Definition of Drop wise Condensation:
Drop wise condensation is a process in which the vapor condenses into droplets on a surface. This process is different from film condensation, where the vapor condenses as a continuous film on the surface.

Explanation:
Drop wise condensation usually occurs on an oily surface. The reason for this is that the surface tension of the oil droplets is much higher than that of water droplets. When vapor condenses on an oily surface, it forms droplets that are relatively stable due to the high surface tension of the oil.

Characteristics of Oily Surface:
The characteristics of an oily surface, such as its surface tension, viscosity, and wettability, influence the drop wise condensation process. A surface with high surface tension and low wettability will promote drop wise condensation, while a surface with low surface tension and high wettability will promote film condensation.

Advantages of Drop wise Condensation on Oily Surface:
Drop wise condensation on an oily surface has several advantages over film condensation. The droplets formed during drop wise condensation have a larger surface area than the film formed during film condensation. This larger surface area leads to a higher heat transfer coefficient, which means that more heat can be transferred in a shorter amount of time.

Applications of Drop wise Condensation on Oily Surface:
Drop wise condensation on an oily surface is used in various industrial applications, such as in heat exchangers, distillation columns, and condensers. The use of drop wise condensation can improve the efficiency of these processes by increasing the heat transfer rate.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, drop wise condensation usually occurs on an oily surface due to the high surface tension of the oil droplets. This process has several advantages over film condensation and is used in various industrial applications to improve the efficiency of heat transfer processes.