Behavior of condensed droplets growth and jumping on superhydrophobic surface

Droplets on the superhydrophobic surface can fall off the surface spontaneously, which greatly promote dropwise condensation. This study considers a continuous droplet condensation process including droplet growth and droplet jumping. A droplet growth model considered NCG is developed and droplet jumping is simulated using VOF (Volume Of Fluid) model. Al-based superhydrophobic surfaces are prepared using chemical deposition and etching method. The Al-based superhydrophobic surface has a contact angle of 157°±1° and a rolling angle of 2°±1°. An observation experiment is designed to observe droplet jumping on superhydrophobic surface using a high-speed camera system. The result of droplet growth model shows a good match with experimental data in mid-term of droplet growth. Fordroplet jumping, simulation and experiment results show that droplet jumping of different diameter hasa universality in a non-dimensional form. The jumping process can be divided into 3 stages and droplet vibration is observed.