High-Efficient Condenser with Porous Element

Consideration is given to a condenser with a porous element mounted on a capillary-grooved condensation surface. A liquid phase is removed from this surface and filtered via a porous plate assisted by an excess pressure in a vapor and capillary forces. Experimental data obtained, with acetone taken as a heat agent, testify to a high rate of heat transfer in such condenser. A developed mathematical model is based on the conservation equations for energy, mass and momentum, traditional formulas for filtration, a capillary pressure and the equation of state for a non-condensable gas. An influence of a porous plate permeability as well as geometric and other parameters on condenser characteristics is discussed.