Dynamic heat transfer analysis of condensed droplets growing and coalescing on water repellent surfaces

We present the dynamic heat transfer analysis of condensed droplets growing and coalescing on hydrophobic (HPo) and superhydrophobic (SHPo) surfaces using a full 3D numerical simulation. In the model, two water droplets surrounded by fully-saturated water vapor grow on a horizontal surface through condensation until they coalesce together. The dynamic changes in the interfacial areas, temperature distributions and heat flux through each interface were analyzed. The effects of vapor phase temperature distribution, parasitic thermal resistance and surface flooding on the heat transfer rate are also quantified. The results show that a relatively high heat transfer rate through solid-vapor interface on SHPo partially compensates the low heat transfer rate through solid-liquid interface. The parasitic thermal resistance of the suggested SHPo may reduce the heat transfer performance over 30%. When the flooding occurs on HPo, the heat transfer rate rapidly decreases below a half of the value obtained at the beginning of coalescence. This work shows the importance of the heat transfer analysis considering dynamic changes in the interfacial area and resulting 3D temperature distributions, and will help develop the optimal condensation heat transfer surfaces.