Editing Condensation (section)

== Applications of condensation ==
[[File:Effect similar to contrails created in a cloud chambers.jpg|thumb|In [[cloud chamber]]s a liquid (sometimes water, but usually [[isopropanol]]) condenses upon contact with a [[particle]] of [[radiation]] thus producing an effect similar to [[contrails]]]]
Condensation is a crucial component of [[distillation]], an important laboratory and industrial chemistry application.

Because condensation is a naturally occurring phenomenon, it can often be used to generate water in large quantities for human use. Many structures are made solely for the purpose of collecting water from condensation, such as [[Air well (condenser)|air wells]] and [[fog fence]]s. Such systems can often be used to retain soil moisture in areas where active [[desertification]] is occurring—so much so that some organizations educate people living in affected areas about water condensers to help them deal effectively with the situation.<ref>[http://www.fogquest.org/ FogQuest - Fog Collection / Water Harvesting Projects - Welcome<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223071843/http://www.fogquest.org/ |date=2009-02-23 }}</ref>

It is also a crucial process in forming particle tracks in a [[cloud chamber]].  In this case, ions produced by an incident particle act as nucleation centers for the condensation of the vapor producing the visible "cloud" trails. {{cn|date=March 2025}}

Commercial applications of condensation, by consumers as well as industry, include power generation, water desalination,<ref name=WarsingerEntropy>{{Cite journal|last1=Warsinger|first1=David M.|last2=Mistry|first2= Karan H.|last3=Nayar|first3=Kishor G.|last4=Chung|first4=Hyung Won|last5=Lienhard V.|first5=John H.|title=Entropy Generation of Desalination Powered by Variable Temperature Waste Heat|journal=Entropy|volume=17|issue=11|pages=7530–7566|doi=10.3390/e17117530|date=2015|bibcode=2015Entrp..17.7530W|doi-access=free|hdl=1721.1/100423|hdl-access=free}}</ref> thermal management,<ref>White, F.M. 'Heat and Mass Transfer' © 1988 Addison-Wesley Publishing Co. pp. 602–604</ref> refrigeration,<ref>Q&A: Microchannel air-cooled condenser; Heatcraft Worldwide Refrigeration; April 2011; {{cite web |url=http://www.heatcraftrpd.com/landing/2011/air-cooled-condenser/res/pdfs/H-ACCMCX-QA.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-02-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417093034/http://www.heatcraftrpd.com/landing/2011/air-cooled-condenser/res/pdfs/H-ACCMCX-QA.pdf |archive-date=2012-04-17 }}</ref> and air conditioning.<ref name="Enright">{{cite journal|last1=Enright|first1=Ryan|title=Dropwise Condensation on Micro- and Nanostructured Surfaces|journal=Nanoscale and Microscale Thermophysical Engineering|date=23 Jul 2014|volume=18|issue=3|pages=223–250|doi=10.1080/15567265.2013.862889|bibcode=2014NMTE...18..223E|hdl=1721.1/85005|s2cid=97855214|url=https://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/1721.1/85005/1/Dropwise%20Condensation%20on%20Micro-%20and%20Nanostructured%20Surfaces.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923125031/https://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/1721.1/85005/1/Dropwise%2520Condensation%2520on%2520Micro-%2520and%2520Nanostructured%2520Surfaces.pdf |archive-date=2019-09-23 |url-status=live|hdl-access=free}}</ref>