Flow boiling and convective condensation of hydrocarbons: A state-of-the-art literature review

Abstract

This study consists of a broad and critical literature review concerning in-tube convective boiling and condensation of hydrocarbons and their mixtures. A summary of observed experimental behaviors observed in literature for heat transfer coefficient, pressure drop, flow pattern and void fraction is presented. In general, it was found that hydrocarbons and HFCs presents similar heat transfer and pressure drop trends. An assessment of the accuracy of prediction methods for the heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop is also performed by comparing them with data gathered from literature. Reasonable agreement between the data and prediction methods was obtained only for convective condensation heat transfer coefficient of pure hydrocarbons inside microchannels and hydrocarbons mixtures inside conventional-sized and microchannels with the Silver-Bell and Ghally correction. No experimental study was found concerning flow boiling heat transfer coefficient and/or pressure drop of hydrocarbons mixtures inside microchannels. It is worth to highlight that a restricted number of data sources (independent laboratories) was found, highlighting the importance of further studies.