EXPERIMENTAL SIMULATIONS AND HEAT-TRANSFER PARAMETER MEASUREMENTS OF FILM CONDENSATION ON A ROTATING FLAT-PLATE

A rotating flat-plate condensation experiment has been developed to investigate the heat transfer characteristics of a rotating flat-plate radiator. The condensing surface is cooled to simulate the rejection of heat to a cold surface. The working fluid is superheated steam. The results obtained include relationships between the overall heat transfer coefficient and the temperature difference between the working fluid and a cold environment, both placed in dimensionless groups, and plate angular rotational speeds. This empirical relationship is useful for choosing the optimum rotational speed for a rotating flat-plate radiator given a desired heat rejection load. This study also provides the basis for designing new heat rejection systems using centrifugal forces and condensation phenomena in both space and ground applications.