Forced Convection Condensation of Steam on a Small Bank of Horizontal Tubes

Heat transfer measurements are reported for condensation of steam flowing vertically downward over a small bank of staggered horizontal tubes having 10 rows with 4 and 3 tubes per row. The tubes in each row were connected in series and separately supplied with cooling water. The cooling water flow rate and temperature rise were measured individually for each row and tube-wall temperatures were measured on selected tubes. Data were obtained at slightly above atmospheric pressure and the range of steam approach velocity (based on the cross-sectional area of the duct) was 6 to 23 m/s. A general trend of decreasing heat transfer coefficient with depth in the bank was found. However, superimposed on this was a “saw-tooth” effect with the three-tube rows having higher coefficients than the rows with four tubes. The amplitude of the coefficient variation decreased down the bank and was also less pronounced at lower vapor velocities. When compared with other experimental data for condensation of steam on small staggered banks, the present data exhibit somewhat higher vapor-side, heat transfer coefficients.