Modeling of filmwise condensation on curvilinear fins with condensate suction from interfin grooves

Under numerical study is the nonsteady filmwise vapor condensation on curvilinear fins with condensate suction from the interfin grooves with account taken of the surface tension and gravity. The problem is reduced to solving a nonlinear evolution equation for the condensate film thickness. We carry out the calculations of the ethanol vapor condensation at the atmospheric pressure on fins of constant curvature with for various temperature differences between the fin surface and the vapor saturation temperature and at different values of condensate suction rate from the interfin grooves. Numerical calculations show that the condensation process in the condenser with condensate suction is stable. The filling of the interfin groove leads to a decrease in the zone of intense condensation and reduces the condensate inflow, and so it leads to a stable equilibrium between the condensate suction rate and the condensate inflow. Small changes in the temperature of the condenser under constant condensate suction rate lead to a change of the filling level of the interfin grooves and to the establishement of a stationary process if the temperature of the fin becomes constant.