Thermodynamic optimization of free convection film condensation on a horizontal elliptical tube with variable wall temperature

Abstract: This study focuses on the thermodynamic analysis of saturated vapor flowing slowly onto and condensing on an elliptical tube with variable wall temperature. An entropy generation minimization (EGM), technique is applied as a unique measure to study the thermodynamic losses caused by heat transfer and film-flow friction for the laminar film condensation on a non-isothermal horizontal elliptical tube. The results provide us how the geometric parameter ellipticity and the amplitude of non-isothermal wall temperature variation affect entropy generation during filmwise condensation heat-transfer process. The optimal design can be achieved by analyzing entropy generation in film condensation on a horizontal elliptical tube with further account for the amplitude of non-isothermal wall temperature variation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]