HEAT TRANSFER IN THE CONDENSATION OF METAL VAPORS: MERCURY AND SODIUM UP TO ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE

Abstract

Tbe condensing beat transfer coefficients of metal vapors were studied. The coefficients for mercury were determined by condensing mercury on cooled vertical copper plated steel, carbon steel, nickel, stainless, and nickel-- stainless-- carbon steel composite condensers. The coefficients for sodium were determined using a bimetallic nickel--stainless steel condenser. Various calculational methods give results that place DELTA t across a liquid metal condensate film much higher than indicated by theory, pointing to an unexpected thermal resistance at the solid-liquid interface. (J.R.D.)