Laminar film condensation heat transfer on a vertical, non-isothermal, semi-infinite plate.

Abstract

This paper gives similarity transformations for laminar film condensation on a vertical flat plate

with variable temperature distribution and finds analytical solutions for arbitrary Prandtl numbers and condensation

rates. The work contrasts with Sparrow and Gregg’s assertion that wall temperature variation does not

permit similarity solutions. To resolve the long debatable issue regarding heat transfer of non-isothermal case,

some useful formulas are obtained, including significant correlations for varying Prandtl numbers. Results are

compared with the available experimental data.