Condensation heat transfer correlation for smooth tubes in annular flow regime

Abstract

Condensation heat transfer coefficients in a 7.92 mm inside diameter copper smooth tube were obtained experimentally for R22, R134a, and R410A. Working conditions were in the range of 30–40°C condensation temperature, 95–410 kg/m2s mass flux, and 0.15–0.85 vapor quality. The experimental data were compared with the eight existing correlations for an annular flow regime. Based on the heat-momentum analogy, a condensation heat transfer coefficients correlation for the annular flow regime was developed. The Breber et al. flow regime map was used to discern flow pattern and the Muller-Steinhagen & Heck pressure drop correlation was used for the term of the proposed correlation. The proposed correlation provided the best predicted performance compared to the eight existing correlations and its root mean square deviation was less than 8.7%.