Refrigerant R134a condensation heat transfer and pressure drop inside a small brazed plate heat exchanger

This paper presents the experimental tests on HFC-134a condensation inside a small brazed plate heat exchanger: the effects of refrigerant mass flux, saturation temperature and vapour super-heating are investigated.A transition point between gravity controlled and forced convection condensation has been found for a refrigerant mass flux around 20 kg/m² s. For refrigerant mass flux lower than 20 kg/m² s, the saturated vapour heat transfer coefficients are not dependent on mass flux and are well predicted by the Nusselt [Nusselt, W., 1916. Die oberflachenkondensation des wasserdampfes. Z. Ver. Dt. Ing. 60, 541–546, 569–575] analysis for vertical surface. For refrigerant mass flux higher than 20 kg/m² s, the saturated vapour heat transfer coefficients depend on mass flux and are well predicted by the Akers et al. [Akers, W.W., Deans, H.A., Crosser, O.K., 1959. Condensing heat transfer within horizontal tubes. Chem. Eng. Prog. Symp. Ser. 55, 171–176] equation. In the forced convection condensation region, the heat transfer coefficients show a 30% increase for a doubling of the refrigerant mass flux. The condensation heat transfer coefficients of super-heated vapour are 8–10% higher than those of saturated vapour and are well predicted by the Webb [Webb, R.L., 1998. Convective condensation of superheated vapour. ASME J. Heat Transfer 120, 418–421] model. The heat transfer coefficients show weak sensitivity to saturation temperature. The frictional pressure drop shows a linear dependence on the kinetic energy per unit volume of the refrigerant flow and therefore a quadratic dependence on the refrigerant mass flux.     

Combined momentum, heat and mass transfer in vertical slug flow absorbers

Numerical solutions have been obtained for the system of equations of momentum, heat and mass transfer describing the absorption of a refrigerant vapour from a Taylor bubble into the refrigerant-absorbent solution film around the bubble. The numerical results are compared with Nusselt's solution of the energy equation and with the penetration theory solution of the mass diffusion variation. Experimental data have been collected in vertical tubular absorbers in the slug flow region with the systems ammonia-lithium nitrate and ammonia-sodium thiocyanate. Four different absorber tubes have been tested with internal diameters of 10, 15, 20, and 25 mm. These data are compared with the numerical and theoretical results. The effect of the bubble nose on mass transfer is studied. Typical temperature profiles during the absorption process in absorption cooling/heating systems are shown.     

Evaporation heat transfer and pressure drop of ammonia in a mixed configuration chevron plate heat exchanger

Ammonia is a naturally occurring environment friendly refrigerant with attractive thermo-physical properties. Experimental investigation of heat transfer and pressure drop during steady state evaporation of ammonia in a commercial plate heat exchanger has been carried out for an un-symmetric 30°/60° chevron plate configuration. Experiments were conducted for saturation temperatures ranging from −25 °C to −2 °C. The heat flux was varied between 21 kW m⁻² and 44 kW m⁻². Experimental results show significant effect of saturation temperature, heat flux and exit vapor quality on heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop. Current mixed plate configuration data are compared with previous studies on the same heat exchanger with symmetric plate configurations. This comparison highlighted importance of optimization in selection of the heat exchangers. Correlations for two phase Nusselt number and friction factor for each chevron plate configuration considered are developed. A Nusselt number correlation generalized for a range of chevron angles is also proposed.     

Refrigerant R134a vaporisation heat transfer and pressure drop inside a small brazed plate heat exchanger

This paper presents the experimental heat transfer coefficients and pressure drop measured during refrigerant R134a vaporisation inside a small brazed plate heat exchanger (BPHE): the effects of heat flux, refrigerant mass flux, saturation temperature and outlet conditions are investigated. The BPHE tested consists of 10 plates, 72 mm in width and 310 mm in length, which present a macro-scale herringbone corrugation with an inclination angle of 65° and corrugation amplitude of 2 mm.The experimental results are reported in terms of refrigerant side heat transfer coefficients and frictional pressure drop. The heat transfer coefficients show great sensitivity both to heat flux and outlet conditions and weak sensitivity to saturation temperature. The frictional pressure drop shows a linear dependence on the kinetic energy per unit volume of the refrigerant flow.The experimental heat transfer coefficients are also compared with two well-known correlations for nucleate pool boiling and a correlation for frictional pressure drop is proposed.     

Heat transfer coefficient during two-phase flow boiling of HFC-134a

This paper reports a study of the evaporation of HFC-134a inside smooth, horizontal tubes. Tests were performed with the pure refrigerant and with oil-refrigerant mixtures. The heat flux was varied from 2 to 10 kW m⁻². The inner diameter of the tubes was 12 mm. Two evaporators were used, 4 and 10 m long, and the oil content was varied from 0 to 2.5 mass percentage (synthetic oil, EXP-0275). Oil-free HFC-134a had a higher heat transfer coefficient than HCFC-22 at the same heat and mass fluxes. The effect of oil in the refrigerant is dependent on the heat flux. At 2 and 4 kW m⁻² the heat transfer coefficient had a maximum value for an oil content of around 0.5 mass percentage; no increase is registered for a heat flux of 6 kW m⁻². The heat transfer coefficients for the pure refrigerant were also compared with two existing correlations. The measured heat transfer coefficients averaged over the evaporator deviate less than 40% from the correlation according to Pierre. The heat transfer coefficients at the short evaporator lie within 20%. The correlation given by Jung overestimates the heat transfer coefficient by approximately 50%.     

Heat transfer and pressure drop in a plate-type evaporator

A plate-type evaporator, working with natural refrigerant circulation, has been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Motivated by the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances, HCFC22 was compared to HFC134a and two zeotropic refrigerant mixtures. The effect of different separator liquid levels, i.e. refrigerant flows, and its influence on heat transfer was also studied. The investigated plate-type evaporator consists of thirteen vertical flow channels and its size is 3.0 m × 0.5 m. The heat source for the evaporator is a falling water film on the outside of the plate. Experimental studies have been carried out using a test facility that enabled detailed measurements of heat transfer and pressure drop. Experiments were compared to results from a calculation method that simultaneously calculates heat transfer and pressure drop in a variable number of steps along the evaporator. The calculation method is based on a pressure drop correlation proposed by the VDI-Wärmeatlas and a heat transfer correlation for vertical tubes proposed by Steiner and Taborek. For different evaporator duties, heat transfer was over predicted by 12% for pure fluids by 15% for mixtures. Calculated pressure drops were well within ±5% of the measured values. Changes in heat transfer due to different flows were closely predicted by the proposed calculation method.     

Acoustic resonance in plate heat exchangers: Résonance acoustique des échangeurs de chaleur à plaques

A ‘whistling' sound, which develops under transient conditions in some automobile air conditioning systems equipped with plate type evaporators, was identified as acoustic resonance. The ‘whistle' was reproduced in the laboratory under steady-state conditions. Testing of these heat exchangers was done first with R134a and then with nitrogen. Nitrogen testing proved to be much faster and easier and provided results comparable to the results obtained using R134a. The evidence presented in this work suggests that the acoustic resonance in this type of heat exchanger is similar in nature to the acoustic resonance problems reported for tube array in duct type heat exchangers. This is to the authors' knowledge the first time that acoustic resonance problems have been reported in the literature for plate heat exchangers.     

Frost formation and heat transfer on circular cylinders in cross-flow

When humid air comes into contact with a surface whose temperature is below the dew point of water vapour in air and also below the freezing point, frost deposition takes place over the surface. Previous studies indicate that the heat transfer rate increases at the initial stages of deposition since the rough frost surface acts as a finned one. As the frost thickens, however, the insulating effect of the frost layer predominates resulting in a reduction in the heat transfer rate. This paper presents a transient model to predict the frosting process over a circular cylinder in a cross-flow of humid air. the transfer parameters are computed employing a numerical solution of the momentum, energy and diffusion boundary-layer equations along with the continuity equation, using a finite difference scheme. Empirical correlations for thermal conductivity and density are utilized for closure purposes. Model results are compared with existing experimental data and with numerical data of previous investigators and are found to agree well in the applicable temperature and humidity ranges of the frost density and conductivity correlations.     

Transition from nucleate boiling to convective boiling in compact heat exchangers

The boiling of pure fluids has been experimentally studied in several types of compact heat exchanger channels. Plate fin and corrugated heat exchangers have been studied (seven geometries). Controlling the flow parameters (mass flux and vapour quality), the heat flux and measuring the wall temperature, have allowed characterization of the local heat transfer coefficient.

The results clearly show that the dominant mechanisms occurring could be nucleate or convective boiling. The transition between these two mechanisms depends on the flow characteristics and also on the channel geometry. Based on these measurements, an objective criteria can be established to identify the flow boiling regime. The knowledge of such a criteria is useful if we want to extend the use of compact heat exchanger to boiling of mixtures.     

An experimental study on heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of carbon dioxide during gas cooling process in a horizontal tube

The heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop during gas cooling process of CO₂ (R744) in a horizontal tube were investigated experimentally. The experiments are conducted without oil in the refrigerant loop. The main components of the refrigerant loop are a receiver, a variable-speed pump, a mass flow meter, a pre-heater and a gas cooler (test section). The water loop consists of a variable speed pump, an isothermal tank, and a flow meter. The refrigerant, circulated by the variable-speed pump, condenses in the inner tube while water flows in the annulus. The gas cooler of tube diameter is 6000 mm in length, and it is divided into 12 subsections.The pressure drop of CO₂ in the gas cooler shows a relatively good agreement with those predicted by Blasius's correlation. The local heat transfer coefficient of CO₂ agrees well with the correlation by Bringer–Smith. However, at the region near Pseudo-critical temperature, the experiments indicate higher values than the Bringer–Smith correlation. Based on the experimental data presented in this paper, a new correlation to predict the heat transfer coefficient of supercritical CO₂ during in-tube cooling has been developed. The majority of the experimental values are within 18% of the values predicted by the new correlation.     

Pool boiling heat transfer of carbon dioxide on a horizontal tube

Carbon dioxide is again becoming an important refrigerant. While the thermophysical properties are well known there is a lack of data on its heat transfer characteristics.

In this study, heat transfer coefficients for nucleate boiling of carbon dioxide are determined using a standard apparatus for the investigation of pool boiling based on a set-up from Karlsruhe [D. Gorenflo, J. Goetz, K. Bier. Vorschlag für eine Standard-Apparatur zur Messung des Wärmeübergangs beim Blasensieden. Wärme-und Stoffübertragung 16 (1982), 69–78; J. Goetz, Entwicklung und Erprobung einer Normapparatur zur Messung des Wärmeübergangs beim Blasensieden. Dissertation Universität Karlsruhe (1980).] and built at our institute. Electrically heated horizontal cylinders with an outer diameter of 16 mm and a length of 100 mm are used as heating elements. Measurements with constant heat flux are performed for different wall materials and surface roughnesses. The heat transfer is investigated within the pressure range of 0.53≤ p ≤1.43 MPa (0.072≤ p/p_c ≤0.190) and a temperature range of −56≤ t ≤−30 °C, respectively. Heat fluxes of up to 80,000 W m⁻² are applied.

The influences of wall material and roughness on the heat transfer coefficient are evaluated separately. The obtained coefficients are compared to generally accepted correlations and to experimental results of other authors, who used similar configurations with copper tubes and carbon dioxide. These are the only previous experimental data, which could be found. Results for copper, stainless steel and aluminium as wall materials are presented.     

Heat transfer characteristics of flat plate finned-tube heat exchangers with large fin pitch

The objective of this study is to provide experimental data that can be used in the optimal design of flat plate finned-tube heat exchangers with large fin pitch. In this study, 22 heat exchangers were tested with a variation of fin pitch, number of tube row, and tube alignment. The air-side heat transfer coefficient decreased with a reduction of the fin pitch and an increase of the number of tube row. The reduction in the heat transfer coefficient of the four-row heat exchanger coil was approximately 10% as the fin pitch decreased from 15.0 to 7.5 mm over the Reynolds number range of 500–900 that was calculated based on the tube diameter. For all fin pitches, the heat transfer coefficient decreased as the number of tube row increased from 1 to 4. The staggered tube alignment improved heat transfer performance more than 10% compared to the inline tube alignment. A heat transfer correlation was developed from the measured data for flat plate finned-tubes with large fin pitch. The correlation yielded good predictions of the measured data with mean deviations of 3.8 and 6.2% for the inline and staggered tube alignment, respectively.     

Prediction of evaporation heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop of refrigerant mixtures in horizontal tubes

A study on the prediction of heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop of refrigerant mixtures is reported. Heat transfer coefficients and pressure drops of prospective mixtures to replace R12 and R22 are predicted on the same cooling capacity basis assuming evaporation in horizontal tubes. Results indicate that nucleate boiling is suppressed at qualities greater than 20% for all mixtures, and evaporation becomes the main heat transfer mechanism. For the same capacity, some mixtures containing R32 and R152a show 8–10% increase in heat transfer coefficients. Some mixtures with large volatility difference exhibit as much as 55% reduction compared to R12 and R22, caused by mass transfer resistance and property degradation due to mixing (32%) and reduced mass flow rates (23%). Other mixtures with moderate volatility difference exhibit 20–30% degradation due mainly to reduced mass flow rates. The overall impact of heat transfer degradation, however, is insignificant if major heat transfer resistance exists in the heat transfer fluid side (air system). If the resistance in the heat transfer fluid side is of the same order of magnitude as that on the refrigerant side (water system), considerable reduction in overall heat transfer coefficient of up to 20% is expected. A study of the effect of uncertainties in transport properties on heat transfer shows that transport properties of liquid affect heat transfer more than other properties. Uncertainty of 10% in transport properties causes a change of less than 6% in heat transfer prediction.     

Prediction of evaporation heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop of refrigerant mixtures

A study on the prediction of heat transfer coefficient (HTC) and pressure drop of refrigerant mixtures is reported. HTCs and pressure drops of prospective mixtures to replace R12 and R22 are predicted on the same cooling capacity basis. Results indicate that nucleate boiling is suppressed at qualities greater than 20.0% for all mixtures and evaporation becomes the main heat transfer mechanism. For the same capacity, some mixtures containing R32 and R152a show 8.0–10.0% increase in HTCs. Some mixtures with large volatility difference exhibit as much as 55.0% reduction compared with R12 and R22, caused by mass transfer resistance and property degradation due to mixing (32.0%) and reduced mass flow rates (23.0%). Other mixtures with moderate volatility difference exhibit 20.0–30.0% degradation due mainly to reduced mass flow rates. The overall impact of heat transfer degradation, however, is insignificant if major heat transfer resistance exists in the heat transfer fluid side (air system). If the resistance in the heat transfer fluid side is of the same order of magnitude as that on the refrigerant side (water system), considerable reduction in overall HTC of up to 20% is expected. A study of the effect of uncertainties in transport properties on heat transfer shows that transport properties of liquid affect heat transfer more than other properties. Uncertainty of 10.0% in transport properties causes a change of less than 6% in heat transfer prediction.     

Condensing heat transfer for R114/R12 mixtures on horizontal finned tubes

Two titanium tubes with external fins were tested in the horizontal orientation to determine heat transfer performance with R114, R12, and selected non-azeotropic mixtures of the two condensing on the outside surface. For the single-component situation, data were in excellent agreement with predictions from a modified Katz-Keller method, and little performance distinction was found between the tubes or between the pure refrigerants. All mixtures depressed performance below single-component levels, with even low second-component concentrations causing substantial degradation (up to 55% performance reduction for 5% R12). Gas chromatograph composition analyses of vapour from the condenser shell showed elevated concentrations of the more volatile component (R12), evidence that an added transport resistance contributed to the observed mixture performance reductions. If previously suggested benefits of mixtures in heat pump applications are to be realized, the associated condensers should be in a configuration so as to mitigate these performance penalties.     

Research on the air pressure drop in plate finned tube heat exchangers

In order to establish a reliable procedure for estimation of air pressure drop, experiments on plate finned tube heat exchangers have been conducted, as well as the research on the open literature. The procedure of Kays and London was tested against the experimental data and significant level of uncertainty was found. Using own experimental data, as well as previously published data of Kays and London, new correlation for estimation of air pressure drop has been established. Statistical parameters of new correlation enable the conclusion that it can be used for wide range of Reynolds numbers.     

NH3 in-tube condensation heat transfer and pressure drop in a smooth tube

This paper presents an overview of the issues and new results for in-tube condensation of ammonia in horizontal round tubes. A new empirical correlation is presented based on measured NH₃ in-tube condensation heat transfer and pressure drop by Komandiwirya et al. [Komandiwirya, H.B., Hrnjak, P.S., Newell, T.A., 2005. An experimental investigation of pressure drop and heat transfer in an in-tube condensation system of ammonia with and without miscible oil in smooth and enhanced tubes. ACRC CR-54, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign] in an 8.1 mm aluminum tube at a saturation temperature of 35 °C, and for a mass flux range of 20–270 kg m⁻² s⁻¹. Most correlations overpredict these measured NH₃ heat transfer coefficients, up to 300%. The reasons are attributed to difference in thermophysical properties of ammonia compared to other refrigerants used in generation and validation of the correlations. Based on the conventional correlations, thermophysical properties of ammonia, and measured heat transfer coefficients, a new correlation was developed which can predict most of the measured values within ±20%. Measured NH₃ pressure drop is shown and discussed. Two separated flow models are shown to predict the pressure drop relatively well at pressure drop higher than 1 kPa m⁻¹, while a homogeneous model yields acceptable values at pressure drop less than 1 kPa m⁻¹. The pressure drop mechanism and prediction accuracy are explained though the use of flow patterns.     

Analysis of advantages and limitations of absorber-generator heat exchangeAnalyse des avantages et des limites de l'échange de chaleur de l'absorbeur-générateur

In the last few years increased interest has been shown in absorption heat pumps utilizing advanced cycles. One particular advanced cycle which works with very large solution volumes is the so-called absorber-generator heat exchange cycle. We will show in this Paper that the theoretical advantages of this cycle can be severely diminished by limitations which are due to the characteristics of the solution field of the working pair used. These limitations are also important if absorption processes are to be used to realize the Lorenz process.     

Pool boiling heat transfer from a horizontal tube coated with oxide ceramics

Pool boiling heat transfer from a horizontal copper tube coated with 0.2 mm of aluminum oxide-titanium oxide ceramics has been investigated for several pure fluids (refrigerants and hydrocarbons) and three propane/n-butane mixtures. The heat transfer coefficient shows a similar dependence on heat flux and normalized saturation pressure as with a metallic heating tube. At normalized saturation pressures p/p_c0.1, the absolute values of the heat transfer coefficient are just as high as for a sandblasted copper tube of similar surface roughness and at lower saturation pressures even higher. The negative influence of the low thermal conductivity of the ceramics is completely compensated or even overcompensated by the positive influence of the microstructure which results in a higher nucleation site density. This is especially effective in pool boiling of mixtures.     

Effect of soil type and moisture content on ground heat pump performance: Effet du type et de l''humidité du sol sur la performance des pompes à chaleur à capteurs enterrés

Three different soils (sand, silty loam and silty clay) with five different degrees of saturation (0, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100%) were used in computer simulations. The performance of a ground heat pump system was found to depend strongly on the moisture content and the soil type (mineralogical composition). Alteration of soil moisture content from complete dryness to 12.5% of saturation strongly influences the ground heat pump performance, and any decrease of soil moisture in this range has a devastating effect on the coefficient of performance (COP). Therefore, it is beneficial to keep the soil moisture value as high as possible above dry soil conditions. Soil moisture content above the quarter saturation state leads to a much better heat pump performance. It was found, however, that the effect of moisture content variation above 50% of saturation on ground heat pump performance is relatively insignificant.