Experimental Investigation on Multi-Unit Parallel-Flow Type Condenser with Flat Tubes Distribution

Abstract

Three heat exchangers, all of which have 38 tubes in total and 6 passes, with different tube arrangements were manufactured to be experimental investigated in laboratory. The effect of flat tube distribution on heat transfer performance and pressure drop characteristic was experimental investigated. The effect of different air velocity and flow on heat transfer performance and pressure drop characteristic was also experimental investigated. The results show that similar tube distribution has little effect on heat transfer quality but has great effect on pressure drop. It was found the third arrangement has the best heat transfer and its pressure drop is small. Thus the third arrangement is the best solution. The heat transfer and pressure drop increase with the air velocity and refrigerant flow, so a proper value should be chosen, it was found that the simulation results were mainly agreement with the experimental results.