Analysis of surface wettability on condensation

Enhancing heat transfer performance in condensation provides challenge since working fluid in condensation system almost have low surface tension which more difficult to provide droplet on the surface than high surface tension fluid. Providing droplet is believed as one of the method for increasing heat transfer since droplet offers small condensate with high contact angle and leads to roll off easier than thin film condensate. Whereas the conventional method for low surface tension fluid problem is by using extended area to enhance the heat transfer. Practically, the hydrophobic surface coating to induce droplet on the surface is easier than extended area method. Unfortunately, hydrophobic surface coating does not always show good performance to induce droplet especially for low surface tension fluid. The wettability of surface holds important role to determine the mode of condensation, dropwise or filmwise condensation. Beside of that, the surface tension of working fluid also influences the mode of condensation since leading to adhesive force. Here, the analysis of surface wettability and surface tension of fluid for producing droplet would be investigated.