Evaporation Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop of Low-Global Warming Potential Refrigerant HFO-1234yf in 6.95-mm Horizontal Smooth Tube

Abstract

This study investigated the evaporative heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop characteristics of R-1234yf in a horizontal tube with an inner diameter of 6.95 mm under various experimental conditions. The heat transfer coefficient increased with an increase in quality but showed a sharp decrease in the high-quality area. In addition, the heat transfer coefficient increased as the mass flux, heat flux, and saturation temperature increased. Although R-1234yf and R-134a presented similar heat transfer coefficients, that of R-134a was higher. The pressure drop increased with an increase in the quality and mass flux but decreased with an increase in the saturation temperature. The pressure drop of R-134a was larger than that of R-1234yf. In light of the flow pattern diagram by Taitel and Dukler, most of the experiments were included in the annular flow region, and some regions showed intermittent and stratified corrugated flow regions. Kandlikar’s heat transfer coefficient correlation provided the best prediction for the experimental database, with approximately 84% of the predicted data within ±30%. Moreno Quibén and Thome’s equation for pressure drop predicted approximately 88.71% of the data within ±30%.