EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS OF PROPANE MINICHANNEL CONDENSER AND EVAPORATOR

DOI: 10.18462/iir.compr.2017.0246

Sekcia: Ejectors, minichannel HX, multi temperature transport. Chaired by Dariusz Butrymowicz, Armin Hafner, Hermann Halozan,

Stav prijatia: Príspevok prijatý

Autori

Abstrakt

The use of mini-channel heat exchangers in stationary refrigeration systems is still yet common. It must be taken into account that these exchangers allow for the achievement of high heat transfer coefficient at high compactness. Thus they provide a way to minimize the charge of the refrigeration system with refrigerant which is especially important in the case of systems where hydrocarbons are used. This paper presents the results of experiments of the exemplary mini-channel heat exchanger working as a condenser and evaporator in a compressor refrigeration system with propane as the working medium. The aim of the work is to measure the mean values of heat transfer coefficient for refrigerant side for the operating range of the exchanger. The average heat transfer coefficient as well as pressure drop for both cases of operation of tested exchanger for the case of operation of tested heat exchanger as a evaporator and condenser are presented. The heat transfer coefficient was calculated by means of separated thermal resistance method. The experiments confirmed the increase of heat transfer coefficient along with the increase of working medium mass flux for the tested mini-channel heat exchanger. The experiments were carried out for various mass velocities of refrigerant. Dimensionless correlation was proposed for pressure drop for the case of operation of the minichannel heat exchanger as a condenser and evaporator.

Kľúčové slová

Mini-channel heat exchangers; evaporator; condenser; propane