Forced Condensation in a Tube With Suction at the Wall for Microgravitational Applications

The condensation of vapor within a tube is examined for a tube wall that has a constant temperature and uniform suction in a microgravitational environment. The motion of the condensate is due to the interfacial shear between the vapor and the liquid as well as the suction at the wall. The decrease in the vapor flow rate due to condensation has been taken into account. The governing boundary layer momentum and energy equations have been solved by approximating the convective and inertial terms. It is concluded that simultaneous suction and vapor shear can effectively drain the condensate to ensure the continuous operation of space condensers.