Flow boiling heat transfer characteristics of carbon dioxide in a horizontal tube

Abstract

The flow boiling heat transfer coefficient of CO 2 (R-744) in a horizontal tube was investigated experimentally. The test results showed the boiling heat transfer of CO 2 has great effect on more nucleate boiling than convective boiling. The boiling heat transfer coefficients of CO 2 are highly dependent on the vapor quality, heat flux and saturation temperature. The boiling heat transfer coefficient of CO 2 is about 87.2% and 93% higher than that of R-22 and R-134a. The boiling pressure drop of CO 2 increases with increasing mass flux, and decreases with increasing saturation temperature. The pressure drop of CO 2 is much lower than that of R-22. The boiling pressure drop of CO 2 is about 10–15% of R-22. The lower pressure drop of CO 2 is attributed to its unique thermal properties. In comparison with test results and existing correlations, the best fit of the present experimental data for heat transfer is obtained with Jung et al. correlation, and pressure drop is obtained with Choi et al. correlation. But most of the existing correlations failed to predict the boiling heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop of CO 2.