A novel research for restraining the condensation of radiant air conditioner by superhydrophobic surface

The application of radiant air-conditioning systems in engineering is limited because of the risk of condensation during operation in summer. The condensation model of vapor on a cold surface was established based on Gibbs free energy and molecular dynamics theory. Three aluminum alloy surfaces with different wettabilities were prepared by laser etching and stearic acid surface modification, and the inhibition effect of superhydrophobic surface on condensation was verified. The effects of the surface wettability of the radiant plate and indoor environmental parameters on the condensation nucleation rate were analyzed by the condensation model. The results showed that with the increase in the surface contact angle of the radiant plate, the critical liquid core volume and nucleation free energy barrier increased, causing an increased difficulty for the formation of the liquid core. At the same time, the nucleation rate showed a decreasing trend, which could more effectively inhibit condensation. Moreover, with a variation in the dew point temperature of the indoor air or the radiant plate surface temperature that could lead to a condensation risk, the superhydrophobic surface still maintained a certain inhibitory effect on the condensation nucleation of the vapor.