Multiphase Heat transfer is ubiquitous in diverse fields of application such as cooling systems, micro and mini power systems and many chemical processes. By now, single phase dynamics are mostly understood in their applications in vast fields, however multiphase systems especially involving phase changes are still a challenge.;Present study aims to enhance understanding in this domain especially in the field of condensation heat transfer. Of special relevance to present studies is study of condensation phenomenon for detection of airborne nanoparticles using heterogeneous nucleation. Detection of particulate matter in the environment via heterogeneous condensation is based on the droplet growth phenomenon where seeding particles in presence of supersaturated vapor undergo condensation on their surface and amplify in size to micrometric ranges, thereby making them optically visible. Previous investigations show that condensation is a molecular exchange process affected by mean free path of vapor molecules (lambda) in conjunction with size of condensing droplet (d), which is measured in terms of Knudsen number (Kn=lambda/ d). In an event involving heterogeneous nucleation with favorable thermodynamic conditions for condensation to take place, the droplet growth process begins with accretion of vapor molecules on a surface through random molecular collision (Kn>1) until diffusive forces start dominating the mass transport process (Kn1). Knowledge of droplet growth thus requires understanding of mass transport in both of these regimes.;Present study aims to understand the dynamics of the Microthermofluidic sensor which has been developed, based on above mentioned fundamentals. Using continuum approach, numerical modeling was carried to understand the effect of various system parameters for improving the device performance to produce conditions which can lead to conditions abetting condensational growth. The study reveals that the minimum size of nanoparticle which can be detected is critically dependent upon controlling wall geometry and size, wall temperature, flow rate and relative humidity of nanoparticle laden air stream. Droplet growths rates and sizes have been predicted based on different models. The efficacy of the device under various conditions has been measured in terms of its ability to activate nanoparticles of different sizes.;Since the condensation mechanism is dependent upon the Knudsen regime in which droplets are growing via condensation, special consideration was made to understand their behavior in large Knudsen number conditions. For this purpose, ESEM was used to study condensation on a bare surface. Droplet growth obtained as a function of time reveals that the rate of growth decreases as the droplet increases in size. The experimental results obtained from these experiments were matched with theoretical description provided by a model based on framework of kinetic theory. Evidence was also found which establishes the presence of submicroscopic droplets nucleating and growing in between microscopic droplets for partially wetting case.
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