Dropwise condensation: the deposition growth and coalescence of fluid droplets

The dropwise condensation of liquid droplets can frequently be described in terms of a four-stage scenario: (1) Nucleation and growth. (2) Growth and coalescence. (3) Growth and coalescence with renucleation in exposed regions. (4) Growth, coalescence and renucleation with removal of larger droplets. All four stages have been simulated using simple computer models and the results of these models can be described in terms of simple scaling theories. These models and scaling theories can be applied to the condensation of D dimensional droplet on d dimensional substrates where D and d can take on essentially any values with D ⩾ d including non-integer (fractal) values.