Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-2026
Department
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Abstract
To alleviate the issue of low condensation efficiency of mixed vapor in the presence of high air concentration, this study employs extended condensation surfaces. Ribbed condensation surfaces with rib spacings of 1 mm, 2 mm, and 4 mm are investigated for air concentrations ranging from 30% to 90%. The results indicate that at an air concentration of 30%, the ribs weaken the condensation heat transfer; however, when the air concentration is greater than or equal to 50%, longitudinal ribs enhance the condensation heat transfer by about a factor of two. Increasing the rib spacing also effectively enhances the disturbance in the gas-phase diffusion layer. Yet, the variation of condensation characteristics with rib spacing also differs depending on the air concentration. An optimal rib spacing exists when the air concentration is least 50%, and within the experimental conditions of this study, the optimal rib spacing was 2 mm. Moreover, increasing the flow velocity effectively reduces “flooding” effects and enhances heat transfer performance.
Publication Title
Thermal Science and Engineering Progress
Recommended Citation
Ge, M.,
Wen, L.,
Li, Z.,
Zhao, Y.,
Peng, Y.,
Sato, T.,
Li, Y.,
&
Wei, H.
(2026).
Influence of ribbed surfaces on condensation characteristics of air–water vapor mixture on vertical plate.
Thermal Science and Engineering Progress,
77.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsep.2026.104854
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p2/2812
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Version
Publisher's PDF
Publisher's Statement
© 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Publisher’s version of record: 10.1016/j.tsep.2026.104854