Electrically Enhanced Condensation I: Effects of Corona Discharge

The effect of a corona discharge in the steam on the rate of nucleation and condensation of a liquid phase is theoretically and experimentally investigated by means of implementation with a steam condenser for an improved phase-change rate. The phenomena considered include the nucleation of water vapor on mobile charge carriers, the electrohydrodynamic vapor flow toward the condenser wall, and the thermodynamics of the charged microdroplet. The dielectrophoretic interaction of droplets and vapor is presented in terms of additional potential that adds to the evaporation energy barrier on the surface of the droplets. Experimental results obtained on the effect of a corona discharge confirm a 16% improvement in the condensation rate.