An Experimental Investigation of Flow Patterns During Condensation of HFC Refrigerants in Horizontal Micro-Fin Tubes

Abstract

Condensation heat transfer coefficients and flow regimes in two different horizontal micro-fin tubes are examined during the condensation of refrigerants R-134a and R-410A. The present investigation has focused on determination and prediction of condensation heat transfer coefficients and finding the interrelation between heat transfer coefficients and the prevailing flow regimes. During flow visualization, flow regimes have been captured using borosilicate glass tube at inlet and outlet of the test condenser using high speed digital camera. Stratified, stratified wavy, wavy annular, annular, slug and plug flows have been observed at different mass fluxes and vapor qualities of the refrigerants. The observed flow regimes are compared with the existing flow regime maps proposed by Breber et al. [Prediction of horizontal tube side condensation of pure components using flow regime criteria, J. Heat Transfer 102 (1980) 471–476], Tandon et al. [A new flow regime map for condensation inside horizontal tubes, J. Heat Transfer 104 (1982) 763–768.] and Thome et al. [Condensation in horizontal tubes, part 2: New heat transfer model based on flow regimes, Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer 46 (2003) 3365–3387.] Thome et al. [Condensation in horizontal tubes, part 2: New heat transfer model based on flow regimes, Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer 46 (2003) 3365–3387.] flow regime map shows good agreement with experimental data.