A plate-type condenser platform with engineered wettability for space applications

Vapor condensation is extensively used in applications that demand the exchange of a substantial amount of heat energy or the vapor-liquid phase conversion. In conventional condensers, the condensate removal from a subcooled surface is caused by gravity force. This restricts the use of such condensers in space applications or in horizontal orientations. The current study demonstrates proof-of-concept of a novel plate-type condenser platform for passively removing condensate from a horizontally oriented surface to the surrounded wicking reservoir without gravity. The condensing surface is engineered with patterned wettabilities, which enables the continuous migration of condensate from the inner region of the condenser surface to the side edges via surface energy gradient. The surrounding wicking reservoir facilitates the continuous absorption of condensate from the side edges. The condensation dynamics on different substrates with patterned wettabilities are investigated, and their condensation heat transfer performance is compared. The continuous migration of condensate drops from a superhydrophobic to a superhydrophilic area can rejuvenate the nucleation sites in the superhydrophobic area, resulting in increased heat transport. We can use the condenser design with engineered wettability mentioned above for temperature and humidity management applications in space

Preferred Mode of Atmospheric Water Vapor Condensation on Nanoengineered Surfaces: Dropwise or Filmwise?

Condensing atmospheric water vapor on surfaces is a sustainable approach to addressing the potable water crisis. However, despite extensive research, a key question remains: what is the optimal combination of the mode and mechanism of condensation as well as the surface wettability for the best possible water harvesting efficacy? Here, we show how various modes of condensation fare differently in a humid air environment. During condensation from humid air, it is important to note that the thermal resistance across the condensate is nondominant, and the energy transfer is controlled by vapor diffusion across the boundary layer and condensate drainage from the condenser surface. This implies that, unlike condensation from pure steam, filmwise condensation from humid air would exhibit the highest water collection efficiency on superhydrophilic surfaces. To demonstrate this, we measured the condensation rates on different sets of superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic surfaces that were cooled below the dew points using a Peltier cooler. Experiments were performed over a wide range of degrees of subcooling (10–26 °C) and humidity-ratio differences (5–45 g/kg of dry air). Depending upon the thermodynamic parameters, the condensation rate is found to be 57–333% higher on the superhydrophilic surfaces compared to the superhydrophobic ones. The findings of the study dispel ambiguity about the preferred mode of vapor condensation from humid air on wettability-engineered surfaces and lead to the design of efficient atmospheric water harvesting systems

Atmospheric water vapor condensation on engineered interfaces: Busting the myths

Condensing atmospheric water vapor on surfaces is a sustainable approach to potentially address the potable water crisis. However, despite extensive research, a key question remains: what is the physical mechanism governing the condensation from humid air and how significantly does it differ from pure steam condensation? The answer may help define an optimal combination of the mode and mechanism of condensation as well as the surface wettability for best possible water harvesting efficacy. Here we show that this lack of clarity is due to the differences in heat transfer characteristics during condensation from pure vapor and humid air environments. Specifically, during condensation from humid air, the thermal resistance across the condensate is non-dominant and the energy transfer is controlled by vapor diffusion and condensate drainage. This leads to filmwise condensation on superhydrophilic surfaces, offering the highest water collection efficiency. To demonstrate this, we measured condensation rate on different sets of superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic surfaces in a wide degree of subcooling (10 - 26 C) and humidity-ratio differences (5 - 45 g/kg of dry air). The resulting condensation rate is enhanced by 57 - 333 % on the superhydrophilic surfaces as compared to the superhydrophobic ones. The findings of this study challenges the nearly century-old scientific ambiguity about the mechanism of vapor condensation from humid air. Our findings will lead to the design of efficient atmospheric water harvesting systems