The phenomenon of condensation of vapors on a vertical fin is theoretically solved by
coupling the thermal conduction in the fin to the constitutive equations of motion and
energy of the condensate layer in an appropriate manner with relevant boundary
conditions. The analysis accounts for the sub cooling effects of the condensate on the
condensation heat transfer coefficient. A design equation that can be employed in the
design of the condenser section of a flat plate heat pipe has been suggested in an earlier
paper presented at the sixth international heat pipe conference held at Grenoble France.
In an technical note published in the international journal of heat and mass transfer, the
process of condensation on a vertical plate fin of variable thickness is analyzed to
establish the effect of fin geometry on the condensation heat transfer coefficient. The
results presented are of significance in the optimization of fin geometry while
developing the flat plate heat pipes.In yet another paper published in the Canadian
journal of chemical engineering explicit solutions are obtained for the problems of
condensation of vapors on the lateral surface of a long vertical plate fin of variable cross
section. The formulation yields solutions to the limiting cases so that the results can be
employed in the design of the condenser section of a flat plate heat pipe in which the fin
is considered to be an essential element for augmenting the condensation heat
transfer.Design can be considered as an integral part along with the process know how
and knowledge of fabrication/assembly of the ultimate product such as the radiation
shield with embedded heat pipes as in the case of the present study within the frame
workof agile manufacturing
