Condensation of propane in vertical minichannels

Abstract

Experiments and models for in-tube pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics during condensation of propane at low mass fluxes (G = 75–150 kg m−2 s−1) in vertical minichannels (D = 1.93 mm) for two saturation temperatures (Tsat = 47 °C and 74 °C) are presented. Trends in heat transfer coefficients and frictional pressure gradients with mass flux and quality are reported and discussed. For the conditions under consideration in this study, heat transfer coefficient appears to increase with an increase in saturation temperature, while the frictional pressure gradient trend becomes relatively insensitive to an increase in saturation temperature. No correlation from the literature adequately predicted the results from the present study. Two models developed here for frictional pressure drop and condensation heat transfer coefficient demonstrate significant improvements in predicting the observed trends.