Experimental study on two-phase condensation heat transfer and pressure drop of R-134a flowing in a dimpled tube

Abstract

This study investigates the heat transfer and pressure drop of R-134a during condensation inside a dimpled tube. The test section is a horizontal counter-flow double-tube heat exchanger with refrigerant flowing in the inner tube and cold water flowing in the annulus. The inner tubes consist of one smooth tube and one dimpled tube, which are made from copper. The length and inner diameter of the test tube are 1500mm and 8.1mm, respectively. The test runs are performed at saturation temperatures of 40, 45, and 50°C, heat fluxes of 10, 15, and 20kW/m2, and mass fluxes of 300, 400, and 500kg/m2s. The effects of heat flux, mass flux, and saturation temperature on the heat transfer coefficient and frictional pressure drop are examined. Comparisons between smooth and dimpled tubes on the heat transfer and frictional pressure drop are also discussed. It is observed that the heat transfer coefficient and frictional pressure drop obtained from a dimpled tube are higher than that of the smooth tube. In addition, as the equivalent Reynolds number increases, the dimpled tube enhances the Nusselt number around 1.3–1.4 times in comparison to the smooth tube. Whereas, when the equivalent Reynolds number decreases, the two-phase friction factor rises around 2.8–4.1 times as compared to the smooth tube.