A state-of-the-art review of falling film evaporation on single tubes and t
ube bundles is presented. Emphasis is placed on recent work and, in particu
lar, on studies on the new alternative refrigerants and ammonia. Both plain
and enhanced tubes are addressed in the survey plus the effects of oil on
heat transfer. The enhanced tubes provide a very high level of heat transfe
r augmentation for falling film evaporation on horizontal bundles, sharply
reducing the required refrigerant charge compared to flooded evaporator des
igns.