CONDENSATION IN COMPACT HEAT-EXCHANGERS

Condensers employing compact noncircular and finned Bow passages are u sed in many industrial applications. The major advantages of compact c ondensers are high heat fluxes, small volumes and packaging, and total lower cost. Starting with the description of different types and appl ications of compact condensers, the distinctive features of condensati on phenomena in noncircular passages are discussed. Next, the modeling methods employed for analyzing condensation in noncircular passages a re presented along with predictive methods for heat transfer and frict ion, For extended surfaces, methods to compute fin efficiency of vario us fin geometries are then summarized, Next, the general design method ology of compact condensers is presented. Finally, future research nee ds are outlined for modeling and analysis of condensation in noncircul ar passages, Compact condensers offer significant advantages over the conventional shell-and-tube exchangers. It is our hope that this artic le will stimulate further use and research for compact condensers.