Capillary-Enhanced Filmwise Condensation in Porous Media

Condensation is prevalent in various industrial and heat/mass transfer applications, and improving condensation heat transfer has a direct effect on process efficiency. Enhancing condensation performance has historically been achieved via the use of low surface energy coatings to promote the efficient dropwise mode over the typical filmwise mode of condensation. However, low surface tension fluids condense on these coatings in the filmwise mode, and low surface energy coatings are generally not robust at thicknesses required to enhance condensation heat transfer. We present a robust and scalable condensation enhancement method where a high heat transfer coefficient is achieved by leveraging capillary forces within a high thermal conductivity porous wick to promote condensate removal. The capillary pressure is supported by a pump to sustain steady condensate removal, and the high thermal conductivity of the wick decreases the overall thermal resistance. This technique has the potential to enhance condensat...