微通道换热器两相分配特性对空调系统性能的影响

微通道换热器作为新一代换热器逐渐被使用在家电领域,其结霜、除尘、排水、分液等都是目前亟待解决的问题。通过R22家用空调系统的标准性能实验台,对三种流程数不同的微通道换热器用作冷凝器和蒸发器时,温度分布均匀性和其对系统性能的影响进行实验,研究发现,微通道换热器在用作冷凝器和蒸发器时,温度分布不均对系统性能的影响分别达到7.3%和3.5%,并且流程数对于温度分布均匀性的影响在作为冷凝器和蒸发器时是不同的。     

Separation in condensers as a way to improve efficiency

This paper introduces the concept of separation of two-phase flow in condensers and discusses its possible application of enhancing the heat transfer performance by capitalizing on the high local heat transfer coefficient of vapor flow. The benefit of vapor–liquid refrigerant separation and the reason why it will improve the condenser performance are explained. Numerical studies are performed on an R-134a microchannel condenser. Model predicts that at the same mass flow rate, the exit temperature is lower by 1.3 K in the separation condenser than in the baseline condenser while the difference of pressure drop remains within 2%. 6.1% more flow rate of condensate is predicted in the separation condenser as another comparison criterion. In addition, the trade-off between high quality and low mass flux for the vapor path downstream of the separation header is investigated by the model and results are presented. Modeling is conducted with pre-assumed separation efficiency in the header. The real value requires further investigation.     

An elemental NTU- model for vapour-compression liquid chillers

This paper presents a steady-state model for predicting the performance of vapour-compression liquid chillers over a wide range of operating conditions. The model overcomes the idealisations of previous models with regard to modelling the heat exchangers. In particular, it employs an elemental NTU- methodology to model both the shell-and-tube condenser and evaporator. The approach allows the change in heat transfer coefficients throughout the heat exchangers to be accounted for, thereby improving both physical realism and the accuracy of the simulation model. The model requires only those inputs that are readily available to the user (e.g. condenser inlet water temperature and evaporator water outlet temperature). The outputs of the model include system performance variables such as the compressor electrical work input and the coefficient of performance (COP) as well as states of the refrigerant throughout the refrigeration cycle. The methodology employed within the model also allows the performance of chillers using refrigerant mixtures to be modelled. The model is validated with data from one single screw chiller and one twin-screw chiller where the agreement is found to be within ±10%.     

Steady-state model of centrifugal liquid chillers: Modèle pour des refroidisseurs de liquide centrifuges en régime permanent

A new steady-state model of vapour-compression type centrifugal liquid chillers is presented. The model has a number of advanced features and is capable of simulating both hermetic and open-drive centrifugal compressors. The model accounts for the real process phenomena such as superheating and subcooling in the heat exchangers as well as a capacity control formulation of the inlet guide vanes. The model algorithm is developed with the aim of requiring only those inputs that are readily known to the design engineer, e.g. the general parameters of the chiller, the chilled water flow temperature out of the evaporator and the return water temperature to the condenser inlet. The outputs include the condenser capacity, the refrigeration capacity (at the evaporator), the coefficient of performance, and also the mass flow rates and thermodynamic states of the refrigerant throughout the cycle. The model is validated with the experimental data on part load to full load performance of three different chillers operating at the University of Auckland and the agreement is found to be within ±10%. The model also demonstrates that the COP of the chillers increases with increasing cooling capacity.     

Effects of synthetic oil in a compression refrigeration system using R410A. Part II: quality of heat transfer and pressure losses within the heat exchangers

The consequences of the oil rejected by the compressor of a vapour-compression refrigeration system on the operation of the evaporator and condenser are analysed. The modelled prototype uses the mixture of HFC R410A and a synthetic polyolester (POE) oil. The rise of the amount of lubricant circulating in the system leads to a progressive change in the behaviour of the mixture of refrigerant and oil that, for the higher oil mass fraction, evolves like a zeotropic mixture. One also observes that the presence of lubricant is generally associated with a fall of the performances of the heat exchangers, except however in the evaporator where an optimum is observed when the quantity of oil is equal to 0.1% of the total mass of the mixture. Some conclusions are drawn about the choice of correlations for the calculation of the refrigerant side heat transfer coefficient in a plate evaporator.     

Modelling refrigerant distribution in microchannel evaporators

The effects of refrigerant maldistribution in parallel evaporator channels on the heat exchanger performance are investigated numerically. For this purpose a 1D steady state model of refrigerant R134a evaporating in a microchannel tube is built and validated against other evaporator models. A study of the refrigerant distribution is carried out for two channels in parallel and for two different cases. In the first case maldistribution of the inlet quality into the channels is considered, and in the second case a non-uniform airflow on the secondary side is considered. In both cases the total mixed superheat out of the evaporator is kept constant. It is shown that the cooling capacity of the evaporator is reduced significantly, both in the case of unevenly distributed inlet quality and for the case of non-uniform airflow on the outside of the channels.     

Effect of the header pressure drop induced flow maldistribution on the microchannel evaporator performance

This paper presents an experimental and numerical investigation of the flow maldistribution caused by the pressure drop in headers and its impact on the performance of a microchannel evaporator with horizontal headers and vertically oriented tubes. Experimental results show that the flash gas bypass method almost eliminates the quality induced maldistribution. However, refrigerant flow maldistribution caused by the header pressure drop still exists. This is mainly because the pressure drop along the headers results in uneven pressure difference and therefore non-uniform liquid refrigerant mass flow rate across each microchannel tube. A microchannel evaporator model validated by experimental results is employed to quantify header pressure drop induced flow maldistribution. Parametric analysis reveals that such maldistribution impact is significantly reduced by enlarging the outlet header size, increasing heat exchanger aspect ratio, or reducing the microchannel size while other parameters are kept constant. When ratio of outlet header to the total evaporator pressure drop is less than 30%, the cooling capacity reduction is limited below 3%.     

An experimentally validated model for microchannel heat exchanger incorporating lubricant effect

This paper presents the further development of Li and Hrnjak's (2013) microchannel heat exchanger model which includes the thermodynamic and transport properties of refrigerant–oil mixture. Effect of lubricant is accounted in boiling heat transfer, pressure drop and refrigerant distribution. A newly proposed infrared thermography based method is implemented in the model to describe the liquid refrigerant distribution in the inlet header of the microchannel heat exchanger. The new model is validated against experimental results (R134a-PAG 46 oil) at various oil circulation ratios (0.1%–8.3%). Simulation results also indicate that lubricant addition improves refrigerant distribution which is in agreement with experiments and the infrared thermography based method enables the model capture lubricant effect on capacity more comprehensively.     

Refrigerant performance evaluation including effects of transport properties and optimized heat exchangers

Preliminary refrigerant screenings typically rely on using cycle simulation models involving thermodynamic properties alone. This approach has two shortcomings. First, it neglects transport properties, whose influence on system performance is particularly strong through their impact on the performance of the heat exchangers. Second, the refrigerant temperatures in the evaporator and condenser are specified as input, while real-life equipment operates at imposed heat sink and heat source temperatures; the temperatures in the evaporator and condensers are established based on overall heat transfer resistances of these heat exchangers and the balance of the system.The paper discusses a simulation methodology and model that addresses the above shortcomings. This model simulates the thermodynamic cycle operating at specified heat sink and heat source temperature profiles, and includes the ability to account for the effects of thermophysical properties and refrigerant mass flux on refrigerant heat transfer and pressure drop in the air-to-refrigerant evaporator and condenser. Additionally, the model can optimize the refrigerant mass flux in the heat exchangers to maximize the coefficient of performance. The new model is validated with experimental data and its predictions are contrasted to those of a model based on thermodynamic properties alone.     

Experimental and numerical study on microchannel and round-tube condensers in a R410A residential air-conditioning system

The effect of different type of condensers on the performance of R410A residential air-conditioning systems was investigated in this study. Two R410A residential air-conditioning systems, one with a microchannel condenser and the other with a round-tube condenser, were examined experimentally, while the other components of the two systems were identical except the condensers. Two condensers had almost same package volumes. The two systems were operated in separate environmental chambers and their performance was measured in ARI A, B, and C conditions. Both the COP and cooling capacity of the system with the microchannel condenser were higher than those for the round-tube condenser in all test conditions. The refrigerant charge amount and the refrigerant pressure drop were measured; the results showed a reduction of charge and pressure drop in the microchannel condenser. A numerical model for the microchannel condenser was developed and its results were compared with the experiments. The model simulated the condenser with consideration given to the non-uniform air distribution at the face of the condenser and refrigerant distribution in the headers. The results showed that the effect of the air and refrigerant distribution was not a significant parameter in predicting the capacity of the microchannel condenser experimentally examined in this study. Temperature contours, generated from the measured air exit temperatures, showed the refrigerant distribution in the microchannel condenser indirectly. The temperature contours developed from the model results showed a relatively good agreement with the contours for measured air exit temperatures of the microchannel condenser.     

A novel special distributed method for dynamic refrigeration system simulation

A novel dynamic mathematical model based on spatially distributed approach has been developed and validated in this paper. This model gives good agreement in predicting the system COP and other parameters. The validated model has been used to enhance the prediction of the micro variations of superheat and sub-cooling. The novel spatial distributed model for the condenser and evaporator in refrigeration system, calculates the two-phase region in gas and liquid field separately since the gas and liquid in the two-phase region have different velocities. Previous researchers have used a pre-defined function of the void fraction in their spatially distributed model, based on experimental results. This approach results in the separate solution of the mass and energy equations, and less calculation is required. However, it is recognized that the mass and energy equations should be coupled during solving for more accurate solution. Based on the energy and mass balance, the spatial distribution model constructed here solves the velocity, pressure, refrigerant temperature, and wall temperature functions in heat exchangers simultaneously. A novel iteration method is developed and reduces the intensive calculations required. Furthermore, the condenser and evaporator models have shown a parametric distribution along the heat exchanger surface, therefore, the spatial distribution parameters in the two heat exchangers can be visualised numerically with a two-phase moving interface clearly shown.     

Comparison of the transient behavior of microchannel and fin-and-tube evaporators

The development of control algorithms for refrigeration systems requires models capable of simulating transient behavior with sensible computational time and effort. The most pronounced dynamics in these systems are found in the condenser and the evaporator, especially the transient behavior of the evaporator is of great importance when designing and tuning controllers for refrigeration systems. Various so called moving boundary models were developed for capturing these dynamics and showed to cover the important characteristics. A factor that has significant influence on the time constant and nonlinear behavior of a system is the amount of refrigerant charge in the evaporator which is considerably reduced when microchannel heat exchangers are utilized. Here a moving boundary model is used and adapted to simulate and compare the transient behavior of a microchannel evaporator with a fin-and-tube evaporator for a residential air-conditioning system. The results are validated experimentally at a test rig.     

Oil presence in an evaporator: experimental validation of a refrigerant/oil mixture enthalpy calculation model

In this paper, the impact of the oil presence on the performances of a refrigerating machine is investigated both experimentally and numerically. To highlight the effect of oil, particularly on the evaporator behaviour, a theoretical model of enthalpy calculation for a refrigerant/oil mixture has been previously developed [Int J Refrigeration, 26(2003), 284]. In order to validate this model, tests were carried out on an industrial refrigerating machine working with R-407C. The lubricant is a polyol-ester oil whose solubility curves are given by the oil manufacturer. The oil circulating mass fraction is measured by a sampling technique and by an on-line density measurement method, whose advantages and drawbacks are presented. Both the model and the experiments show that the ratio of enthalpy change through the evaporator with to without the oil presence increases when the apparent superheat at the evaporator outlet increases. This is due to the presence of a non-evaporated amount of liquid refrigerant dissolved in the oil at this location, which is confirmed by visual observations. The numerical and experimental results are found to be in a good agreement as the maximum deviation is about 2.2%.     

直冷电冰箱制冷系统优化设计探析

冷冻室蒸发器采用多层换热片的复合立体结构,在S型制冷盘管壁外侧固定套装翅片,增加冷冻室顶部和低部两个高温区制冷量.将冷冻室按1:1划分出变温室,通过其中温度传感器控制双稳态电磁阀通断实现制冷剂回路切换,将变温室按冷冻、软冷冻、冷藏使用,也可关闭.通过横、竖盘管混排结构的丝管式冷凝器设计,借助制冷系统压缩机、冷凝器、蒸发器负荷匹配及其与毛细管制冷剂流量匹配,通过防凝露管走向及位置设计、蒸发器管道位置及走向布置和回气换热器设计,研制的BCD-186CHS直冷电冰箱最大负荷日耗电0.39度,在变温室为节能状态时耗电在0.35度以下,最低达0.31度.     

An NTU-ε model for alternative refrigerants: Un modèle NTU-ε pour les frigorigènes de remplacement

This paper presents a steady state simulation model to predict the performance of alternative refrigerants in vapour compression refrigeration/heat pump systems. The model is based on the NTU-ε method in analysing the heat exchangers following an elemental approach. The model extends its applicability to new refrigerants including hydrocarbons and uses a large database of REFPROP package for refrigerant properties. The main inputs to the model include the physical details of the heat exchangers, compressor efficiency, mass flow rates of heat transfer fluids and their inlet temperatures to the evaporator and the condenser, the pressure drops across the heat exchangers and the capacity of either the evaporator or condenser (in kW). The model results are validated with a wide range of experimental data of HCFC22 and propane (HC290) on a heat pump test facility for a number of parameters, e.g. coefficient of performance, condenser capacity, mass flow rate of the refrigerant and compressor discharge temperature. Although the model is currently tested for pure refrigerants using compact brazed plate (counter flow type) heat exchangers, it can also be applied to mixture of refrigerants as well as to other types of heat exchangers.     

Development of a novel multi-capillary, multi-temperature commercial refrigerator cabinet with common low-pressure receiver

A multi-temperature 4 drawer catering cabinet was designed to operate using a low-pressure receiver with capillary expansion to the separate evaporator in each drawer. Low-pressure receivers have been shown to be an effective way of allowing evaporators to operate in a fully flooded mode thus enabling more efficient use of the evaporator surface for heat transfer. If a low-pressure receiver is used in a refrigeration circuit the control of refrigerant flow into the evaporator is less critical as the expansion device is not responsible for preventing liquid returning to the compressor. Therefore, a capillary expansion device can be used effectively over a range of operating pressures. The system was shown to be effective at maintaining temperatures in the storage drawers during chilled, frozen and mixed storage temperature tests carried out to the EN441 test standard. The cabinet operated successfully at all conditions except when the heat load in each drawer was excessive (>400 W above base level heat load). In this case, refrigerant was found to back up in the condenser and the low-pressure receiver was empty of liquid refrigerant. A solution to this would be to allow controlled flow of refrigerant from the condenser to the low-pressure receiver at high condensing pressures.     

微通道平行流冷凝器两相流传热和压降的修正方法

本文通过建立以R134a为制冷剂的微通道平行流冷凝器的分布参数模型,使用交复检验非线性法对微通道冷凝器两相区的传热和压降关联式进行修正,并与无修正的仿真模拟结果、传统简单多项式拟合修正法的结果进行了比较。结果表明,运用交复检验非线性法修正的效果要优于无修正及传统简单多项式拟合法,使用前者修正后可将换热量误差减少64. 5%,均方误差控制在3%以内;制冷剂侧压降误差减少82. 05%,均方误差控制在10%以内,该方法为换热量和制冷剂侧压降的修正提供了一种预测精度更高的思路和方法。     

A semi-theoretical model for predicting refrigerant/lubricant mixture pool boiling heat transfer

This paper outlines the framework of a semi-theoretical model for predicting the pool boiling heat transfer of refrigerant/lubricant mixtures on a roughened, horizontal, flat pool-boiling surface. The predictive model is based on the mechanisms involved in the formation of the lubricant excess layer that exists on the heat transfer surface. The lubricant accumulates on the surface in excess of the bulk concentration via preferential evaporation of the refrigerant from the bulk refrigerant/lubricant mixture. As a result, excess lubricant resides in a thin layer on the surface and influences the boiling performance, giving either an enhancement or degradation in heat transfer. A dimensionless excess layer parameter and a thermal boundary layer constant were derived and fitted to data in an attempt to generalize the model to other refrigerant/lubricant mixtures. The model inputs include transport and thermodynamic refrigerant properties and the lubricant composition, viscosity, and critical solution temperature with the refrigerant. The model predicts the boiling heat transfer coefficient of three different mixtures of R123 and lubricant to within ±10%. Comparisons of heat transfer predictions to measurements for 13 different refrigerant/lubricant mixtures were made, including two different refrigerants and three different lubricants.     

Exergetic analysis of a vapour compression refrigeration system with R134a, R143a, R152a, R404A, R407C, R410A, R502 and R507A

This communication deals with the exergetic analysis of a vapour compression refrigeration system with selected refrigerants. The various parameters computed are COP and exergetic efficiency in the system. Effects of degree of condenser temperature, evaporator temperature and sub-cooling of condenser outlet, supper-heating of evaporator out let and effectiveness of vapour liquid heat exchanger are also computed and discussed. In this study, it was found that R134a has the better performance in all respect, whereas R407C refrigerant has poor performance.     

Simplified explicit calculation algorithms for determining the performance of refrigerant coils in vapour-compression systems

Simplified explicit calculation algorithms were proposed for determining the performance of the condenser, evaporator and air cooler in a vapour-compression system based on a zone-model approach. It was assumed that the fluid temperature changes in the sub-cooled and superheated portions were small and that the wet portion of an air cooler only occurred in the entire saturated portion if it was not fully-dry. With R134a employed as the refrigerant, the simulated coil capacity based on the present modelling approach were compared with those based on a multi-node numerical approach at different refrigerant mass flow rates. It was found that the errors in the simulated specific enthalpy change of the refrigerant across the coil did not exceed 3.6% in all cases. In particular, the errors incurred by employing the present modelling approach in simulating the capacity and compressor power input of a sample water-cooled chiller at different condenser and evaporator fluid entering temperatures were less than 2.7% and 3.1% respectively. This showed that the present approach could be a good choice for improving the computation efficiency of a vapour-compression system significantly while the accuracy of the simulation could still be maintained at an acceptable level.