A theoretical model is developed for the dropwise condensation heat transfer on the horizontal circular surface with radial gradient surface energy based on the heat transfer model of individual condensate drop and the size distribution model of condensate drop on homogeneous condensation surface.The effect of variation of contact angle on the gradient surface on condensation heat transfer and condensate drop size distribution is taken account of in this model.The theoretical calculation method was obtained to predict the dropwise condensation heat transfer coefficient on the horizontal circular surface with radial gradient surface energy under various wall subcooled temperature,contact angle profile on wall surface,and working fluid.The effects of surface energy gradient,wall subcooled temperature,and thermophysical properties of condensate on the condensation heat transfer are discussed respectively.The calculation results show that the condensation heat transfer coefficient increases slightly with the increase of wall subcooled temperature.As latent heat and surface tension increasing,the condensation heat transfer coefficient increases.A larger surface energy gradient induces a larger condensation heat transfer coefficient.