Capillary blocking in forced convective condensation in horizontal miniature channels

Forced convective condensation in miniature channels is investigated numeri cally. Capillary blocking that occurs due to condensation in a horizontal m iniature tube and between parallel plates is simulated by using the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method. The effects of vapor inlet velocity, saturation temp erature, surface tension, and diameter on effective condensation length, fi lm thickness, and heat transfer coefficient are investigated. The film thic kness and the condensation length decrease as the hydraulic diameter or the distance between parallel plates decreases. When the total mass flow rate drops, the condensation length decreases significantly.