Experimental study on the heat transfer and flow characteristics of nanorefrigerants inside a corrugated tube

The heat transfer and flow characteristics of MWCNT-R141b nanorefrigerant with different mass fractions have been studied through experiments. Experimental results were compared with existing correlations. A two-step method was used to prepare the nanorefrigerants. Span-80 was used as surfactant with an average particle diameter of 20 nm. Transmittance method was used to evaluate the stability of nanorefrigerants. Results showed that the stability of MWCNT-R141b nanorefrigerant, which is the added dispersant, was good during the experiments. The 0.3 wt% MWCNT-R141b nanorefrigerants had optimal heat transfer enhancement effects compared with pure refrigerants. The maximum Nusselt number increased by 40%. The specific pressure drop of nanorefrigerant increased as the Reynolds number (Re) increased, and the specific pressure drop of the pure refrigerant was minimum, which is similar to R141b.     

Development and validation of a micro-fin tubes evaporator model using R134a and R1234yf as working fluids

This paper presents a model of shell and tube evaporator with micro-fin tubes using R1234yf and R134a. The model developed for this evaporator uses the ε-NTU method to predict the evaporating pressure, the refrigerant outlet enthalpy and the outlet temperature of the secondary fluid. The model accuracy is evaluated using different two-phase flow boiling correlations for micro-fin tubes and comparing predicted and experimental data. The experimental tests were carried out for a wide range of operating conditions using R134a and R1234yf as working fluids. The predicted parameter with maximum deviations, between the predicted and experimental data, is the evaporating pressure. The correlation of Akhavan– Behabadi et al. was used to predict flow boiling heat transfer, with an error on cooling capacity prediction below 5%. Simulations, carried out with this validated model, show that the overall heat transfer coefficient of R1234yf has a maximum decrease of 10% compared with R134a.     

Critical review of available correlations for two-phase flow heat transfer of ammonia

Although ammonia has been used for decades as a refrigerant of choice for selected large- and small-scale applications, no formal database is available on heat transfer of ammonia. A critical review of the published literature on heat transfer of ammonia is provided in this paper. The available correlations for in-tube and external boiling/evaporation and condensation heat transfer of ammonia are discussed and evaluated where possible. Supported by the findings of this effort, research areas of relevance that can contribute to expanded use of ammonia as an environmentally friendly refrigerant are suggested.     

Flow boiling in small diameter channels

Many studies have been carried out on two-phase flow heat transfer in channels with hydraulic diameter bigger than 6 mm, but relatively little work has been done for small diameter channels in the meso and compact range (diameter from 0.1 to 3 mm). The use of exchangers with small channels in refrigeration units, which are very numerous besides, could bring a significant reduction of the internal volume of the exchanger, and therefore diminish the refrigerant charge of the whole refrigerating system. One can imagine the interest to widen knowledge on the flow and the heat transfer in small-diameter tubes. This paper examine the thermal behavior of refrigerants boiling in small pipes. The correlations available for in-tube evaporation heat transfer coefficient are discussed and evaluated, when possible, and new research areas of relevance than can contribute to expand the use of small-diameter channels evaporators in refrigeration units are suggested.     

Experimental study of the gravity effect on the distribution of refrigerant flow in a multi-pass condenser

Gravity in multi-pass condensers affects the refrigerant flow rate distribution, owing to the gravitational pressure drop that occurs mainly in the U-bend tubes in fin and tube condensers with horizontal tubes. This effect was studied using an experimental approach. A condenser with two ‘nU’ circuits was selected, and the temperature variation of the refrigerant side was measured and compared along each circuit. The critical air velocity, which indicated the initiation of the gravity effect, was found for a given refrigerant flow rate. As the air velocity increased beyond the critical air velocity, the gravity effect (or mal-distribution of the refrigerant flow) developed further. Similarly, the critical refrigerant flow rate was also determined for a given air velocity. As the refrigerant flow rate decreased below the critical refrigerant flow rate, the gravity effect also developed further. The gravity-affected region was shown in the table with rows of air velocities and columns of refrigerant flow rates, and expressed using a single parameter for a given refrigerant flow circuit.     

A note on the Chen correlation of saturated flow boiling heat transfer

The Chen (Ind. Eng. Chem. Process Des. Dev., 1966, 5(3): 322–329) correlation of saturated flow boiling heat transfer is one of the most influential flow boiling heat transfer correlations. It adopted the additive concept and incorporated the Reynolds number factor F and the suppression factor S. Chen presented F and S as the best-fit curves without any parametric equation. However, the parametric equations of F and S were widely used in citing the Chen work, among which some were not accurate, and some had typos in the original sources and then used by others. The objective of this paper is to point out the incorrect and inaccurate equations in the literature. For this purpose, the existing expressions of F and S in the available literature are presented and compared with the Chen best-fit curves. The work provides a reference for the correct use of the Chen correlation.     

Two-phase flow regimes in round, square and rectangular tubes during condensation of refrigerant R134a

An experimental investigation of two-phase flow mechanisms during condensation of refrigerant R134a in six small diameter round (4.91 mm), square (D_h=4 mm, α=1), and rectangular (4×6 and 6×4 mm: D_h=4.8 mm, α=0.67 and 1.5; 2×4 and 4×2 mm: D_h=2.67 mm, α =0.5 and 2) was conducted. Unique experimental techniques and test sections were developed to enable the documentation of the flow mechanisms during phase change. For each tube under consideration, flow mechanisms were recorded over the entire range of qualities for five different refrigerant mass fluxes between 150 and 750 kg m⁻² s⁻¹. The flow mechanisms were categorized into four different flow regimes: intermittent flow, wavy flow, annular flow, and dispersed flow. In addition, the large amount of data enabled the delineation of several different flow patterns within each flow regime, which provides a clearer understanding of the different modes of two-phase flow. Transition lines between the respective flow patterns and regimes on these maps were established based on the experimental data. It was found that for similar hydraulic diameters, flow regime transitions are not very strongly dependent on tube shape or aspect ratio. These maps and the transition lines can be used to predict the particular flow pattern or regime that will be established for a given mass flux, quality and tube geometry.     

Flow boiling data and prediction method for enhanced boiling tubes and tube bundles with R-134a and R-236fa including a comparison with falling film evaporation

New enhanced boiling tubes from Wolverine Tube Inc. (Turbo-B5) and Wieland-Werke AG (Gewa-B5) were investigated using R-134a and R-236fa as test fluids. The tests were done at saturation temperatures of 5 and 15 °C, mass flow rates from 4 to 35 kg m⁻² s⁻¹ and heat fluxes from 15 to 70 kW m⁻². A new prediction method based on a theoretical analysis of thin film evaporation was used to propose a new correlating parameter. A large new database of local heat transfer coefficients was obtained and utilized to generate an improved prediction method for bundle boiling and the onset of dryout. Onset of dryout and the simultaneous reduction in heat transfer performance occurred at very high vapour quality on these enhanced tubes in convective bundle boiling. Furthermore, a direct comparison was made between the tubes operating in falling film and convective bundle boiling modes.     

A comparison of critical flow models for estimating two-phase flow of HCFC22 and HFC134a through short tube orifices

An experimental study to investigate the critical flow of refrigerants through short tube orifices has been performed by measuring the mass flowrates and pressure profiles along the short tube orifice. Eight critical flow models have been examined and their results compared with the experimental data for HCFC22 and HFC134a. These models include four homogeneous equilibrium models, two homogeneous frozen models, and two non-homogeneous equilibrium models. The data indicate that the flow was choked when downstream pressures were lower than the saturation pressure corresponding to the upstream temperature. The observed flows through short tube orifices included a lack of equilibrium due to short time of expansion and homogeneous mist flow at the exit plane. These flow trends would be more consistent with the basic assumptions of the homogeneous frozen models. Based on the comparison of the existing critical flow models and experimental data, the homogeneous frozen models showed the best agreement with the measured data except for exit qualities below 0.06.     

Critical two-phase stratified flow during horizontal condensation

A theoretical investigation is made for two-phase, stratified, condensing flow between two parallel horizontal plates. From this investigation a correlation predicting critical flows during condensation is developed. According to this correlation it is shown that critical flow conditions are strongly dependent on the condensing mass flux, quality, void fraction and fluid properties. It is also shown that the inviscid Kelvin-Helmholtz theory is in error in predicting critical flow conditions because it ignores the effect of viscosity.