Experimental Study of Condensation in Horizontal Micro-Fin Tubes

Abstract

The condensation heat transfer for R134a in the two kinds of in-tube three-dimensional (3-D) micro -fin tubes with different geometries is experimentally investigated. Based on the flow pattern observations, the flow patterns in the Soliman flow regime map are divided into two-flow regimes; one with the vapor -shear-dominant annular regime and the other with the gravitational-force-dominant stratified-wavy regime. In the annular regime , the heat transfer coefficients of the two kinds of in-tube 3-D micro -fin tubes decreases as the vapor quality decreases. The regressed condensation heat transfer correlation from the experimental data of the annular flow region is obtained. The dispersibility of the experimental data is inside the limits of ±25%. In the stratified-wavy regime, the average heat transfer coefficient of the two kinds of in-tube 3-D micro fin tubes increases as the mass flux increases and the number of micro fins in the 3-D micro -fin tube is not the controlling factor for the performance of a condensation heat transfer. The regressed condensation heat transfer correlation of the stratified-wavy flow regime is experimentally obtained. The dispersibility of the experimental data is inside the limits of ±22%. Combined with the criteria of flow pattern transitions, the correlations can be used for the design of a condenser with 3-D micro fin tubes