A review on wetting and water condensation - Perspectives for CO2 condensation

Abstract

Liquefaction of vapor is a necessary, but energy intensive step in several important process industries. This review identifies possible materials and surface structures for promoting dropwise condensation, known to increase efficiency of condensation heat transfer. Research on superhydrophobic and superomniphobic surfaces promoting dropwise condensation constitutes the basis of the review. In extension of this, knowledge is extrapolated to condensation of CO₂. Global emissions of CO₂ need to be minimized in order to reduce global warming, and liquefaction of CO₂ is a necessary step in some carbon capture, transport and storage (CCS) technologies. The review is divided into three main parts: 1) An overview of recent research on superhydrophobicity and promotion of dropwise condensation of water, 2) An overview of recent research on superomniphobicity and dropwise condensation of low surface tension substances, and 3) Suggested materials and surface structures for dropwise CO₂ condensation based on the two first parts.

Keywords: CCS; Dropwise condensation; Nanostructured surfaces; Superhydrophobicity; Superomniphobicity.