Heat and mass transfer studies on R134a bubble absorber in R134a/DMF solution based on phenomenological theory

Abstract

A phenomenological theory of heat and mass transfer is applied to model the absorption of the R134a gas bubble in liquid R134a–dimethyl formamide (DMF) solution. Required properties of R134a–DMF liquid solution namely liquid density, surface tension, diffusion coefficient, thermal conductivity, specific heat, etc., have been calculated using experimental correlations. Results have been obtained by modeling on a computer using MATLAB. The bubble dynamics during bubble growth are studied using this model. Liquid concentration, temperature, heat and mass transfer rates, local heat and mass transfer coefficients are estimated at the bubble interface. Absorption rate, coupled heat transfer rate, average heat and mass transfer coefficients over the entire bubble life span are also calculated. This model results are validated using experimental results of ammonia–water solution. The maximum bubble radius determined from this study is compared with available experimental correlations and it is found that agreement is good. Heat and mass transfer rates obtained from this model are compared with the literature experimental results. The results are in good agreement with the predictions of the model.