Flow patterns, heat transfer and pressure drop for evaporation and condensation of R134A in microfin tubes

2012 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 2150-2165 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.P.M. Colombo ◽  
A. Lucchini ◽  
A. Muzzio
1990 ◽  
Vol 112 (4) ◽  
pp. 1041-1047 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Schlager ◽  
M. B. Pate ◽  
A. E. Bergles

Using R-22 as the working fluid, a series of tests was performed to determine the evaporation and condensation performance of three 12.7-mm o.d. tubes having many small, spiral inner fins. The tubes, referred to as microfin tubes, had a 11.7-mm maximum i.d., 60 or 70 fins with heights ranging from 0.15 to 0.30 mm, and spiral angles from 15 to 25 deg. A smooth tube was also tested to establish a basis of comparison. The test apparatus had a straight, horizontal test section with a length of 3.67 m and was heated or cooled by water circulated in a surrounding annulus. Nominal evaporation conditions were 0 to 5°C (0.5 to 0.6 MPa) with inlet and outlet qualities of 15 and 85 percent, respectively; condensation conditions were 39 to 42°C (1.5 to 1.6 MPa) with inlet and outlet qualities of 85 and 10 percent, respectively. Mass flux varied from 75 to 400 kg/m2·s. The average heat transfer coefficients in the microfin tubes, based on a nominal equivalent smooth tube area, were 1.6 to 2.2 times larger for evaporation and 1.5 to 2.0 times larger for condensation than those in the smooth tube. The pressure drop increased, but by a smaller factor than the heat transfer coefficient.


Author(s):  
Weilin Qu ◽  
Seok-Mann Yoon ◽  
Issam Mudawar

Knowledge of flow pattern and flow pattern transitions is essential to the development of reliable predictive tools for pressure drop and heat transfer in two-phase micro-channel heat sinks. In the present study, experiments were conducted with adiabatic nitrogen-water two-phase flow in a rectangular micro-channel having a 0.406 × 2.032 mm cross-section. Superficial velocities of nitrogen and water ranged from 0.08 to 81.92 m/s and 0.04 to 10.24 m/s, respectively. Flow patterns were first identified using high-speed video imaging, and still photos were then taken for representative patterns. Results reveal that the dominant flow patterns are slug and annular, with bubbly flow occurring only occasionally; stratified and churn flow were never observed. A flow pattern map was constructed and compared with previous maps and predictions of flow pattern transition models. Annual flow is identified as the dominant flow pattern for conditions relevant to two-phase micro-channel heat sinks, and forms the basis for development of a theoretical model for both pressure drop and heat transfer in micro-channels. Features unique to two-phase micro-channel flow, such as laminar liquid and gas flows, smooth liquid-gas interface, and strong entrainment and deposition effects are incorporated into the model. The model shows good agreement with experimental data for water-cooled heat sinks.


Author(s):  
Jianyun Shuai ◽  
Rudi Kulenovic ◽  
Manfred Groll

Flow boiling in small-sized channels attracted extensive investigations in the past two decades due to special requirements for transfer of high heat fluxes from narrow spaces in various industrial applications. Experiments on various aspects of flow boiling in narrow channels were carried out and theoretical attempts were undertaken. But these investigations showed large differences, e.g. up till now the knowledge on the development of flow patterns in small non-circular flow passages is very limited. This paper deals with investigations on flow boiling of water in two rectangular channels with dimensions (width×depth) 2.0×4.0 mm2 and 0.5×2.0 mm2 (corresponding hydraulic diameters are 2.67 mm and 0.8 mm). The pressure at the test section exit is atmospheric. For steady-state experimental conditions the effects of heat flux, mass flux and inlet subcooling on the boiling heat transfer coefficient and the pressure drop are investigated. Flow patterns and the transition of flow patterns along the channel axis are visualized and documented with a video-camera. Bubbly flow, slug flow and annular flow are distinguished in both channels. Preliminary flow pattern maps are generated.


2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Yong Park ◽  
Pega Hrnjak

Abstract C O 2 flow boiling heat transfer coefficients and pressure drop in a 3.5mm horizontal smooth tube are presented. Also, flow patterns were visualized and studied at adiabatic conditions in a 3mm glass tube located immediately after a heat transfer section. Heat was applied by a secondary fluid through two brass half cylinders to the test section tubes. This research was performed at evaporation temperatures of −15°C and −30°C, mass fluxes of 200kg∕m2s and 400kg∕m2s, and heat flux from 5kW∕m2 to 15kW∕m2 for vapor qualities ranging from 0.1 to 0.8. The CO2 heat transfer coefficients indicated the nucleate boiling dominant heat transfer characteristics such as the strong dependence on heat fluxes at a mass flux of 200kg∕m2s. However, enhanced convective boiling contribution was observed at 400kg∕m2s. Surface conditions for two different tubes were investigated with a profilometer, atomic force microscope, and scanning electron microscope images, and their possible effects on heat transfer are discussed. Pressure drop, measured at adiabatic conditions, increased with the increase of mass flux and quality, and with the decrease of evaporation temperature. The measured heat transfer coefficients and pressure drop were compared with general correlations. Some of these correlations showed relatively good agreements with measured values. Visualized flow patterns were compared with two flow pattern maps and the comparison showed that the flow pattern maps need improvement in the transition regions from intermittent to annular flow.


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