Some Reflections on Sparrow's Work on Similarity Solutions for Laminar Film Condensation on a Vertical Plate

Abstract

In this contribution in honor of the late Prof. E. M. Sparrow, we reflect on the pioneering work of Sparrow and Gregg on the development of similarity solutions for laminar film condensation on a vertical plate. Dhir and Lienhard, using this work as a basis, developed a generalized solution for isothermal curved surfaces on which gravitational acceleration varied along the surface and for variable gravity situations. Subsequently, nonisothermal surfaces were also considered. These studies were publisher earlier in the Journal of Heat Transfer.