Characterizing the Surface Tension of Fluid Mixtures With Respect to Concentration and Temperature: An Independent Study Report

Condensation is crucial for most thermodynamic cycles that power society. Therefore, improving the heat transfer of condensation processes is a way to increase the efficiency of these cycles. Marangoni condensation is one such type of condensation that relies on the interplay between concentration, temperature, and surface tension of a mixture of fluids and has the potential to significantly enhance heat transfer rates compared to traditional filmwise condensation. This study quantifies the concentration and temperature dependence of surface tension for a mixture of ethanol and pentane. This mixture is shown to have some of the characteristics that support its potential future use in thermodynamic cycles with Marangoni condensation.