Dropwise Condensation Heat Transfer on Superhydrophobic Surface in the Presence of Non-Condensable Gas

Roughness-induced superhydrophobic surface was applied to promote dropwise condensation (DWC) on a vertical plate in the presence of non-condensable gas (NCG). The DWC heat transfer characteristics were investigated and the wetting behaviors of the condensate droplets were observed visually. The experimental results have shown that the roughness-induced superhydrophobic surface would enhance the heat transfer characteristics of steam condensation in the presence of NCG with high concentration. The underlined mechanism is analyzed in terms of the droplet wetting modes.