%0 Journal Article %A Srinivasan, Vijayaraghavan %A Shah, Ramesh K. %D 1997 %I Begell House %N 4 %P 237-256 %R 10.1615/JEnhHeatTransf.v4.i4.10 %T Condensation in Compact Heat Exchangers %U https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/4c8f5faa331b09ea,37bcac044e1dd3c9,73d2daaa2570660f.html %V 4 %X Condensers employing compact noncircular and finned flow passages are used in many industrial applications. The major advantages of compact condensers are high heat fluxes, small volumes and packaging, and total lower cost. Starting with the description of different types and applications of compact condensers, the distinctive features of condensation phenomena in noncircular passages are discussed. Next, the modeling methods employed for analyzing condensation in noncircular passages are presented along with predictive methods for heat transfer and friction. For extended surfaces, methods to compute fin efficiency of various fin geometries are then summarized. Next, the general design methodology of compact condensers is presented. Finally, future research needs are outlined for modeling and analysis of condensation in noncircular passages. Compact condensers offer significant advantages over the conventional shell-and-tube exchangers. It is our hope that this article will stimulate further use and research for compact condensers. %8 1997-12-01