Modelling of fluid flow through short tube orifices under metastable conditions: A new numerical validation approach for evaluating the mass flow rate with refrigerant mixtures (HFC-407C and HFC-410A)

Abstract

In a previous work, one-dimensional numerical modelling of fluid-flow inside short tube orifices was performed, and successfully validated against a wide range of mass flow rate measurements reported for the refrigerant HFC-134a. Governing equations of continuity, momentum, energy and entropy were solved for describing the fluid flow under a wide variety of thermodynamic transitions (e.g., subcooled liquid region, metastable liquid region, metastable two-phase region and equilibrium two-phase region), including sudden contraction and enlargement. In this new study, a comprehensive comparison analysis between numerical simulation data and experimental measurements obtained for HFC-407C and HFC-410A refrigerants (No = 241) to extend the applicability of the same mathematical model was carried out. Using a widespread statistical analysis, based on weighted linear regressions with an outlier detection/rejection module at 95% of confidence level, the prediction performance of the mathematical model was again assessed. Linear regressions between predicted mass flow rate data and experimental measurements were computed, and used them as a statistical comparison criterion. A statistical comparison between predicted simulation results and mass flow rate experimental data are reported. Average deviation errors of ±11.1% (for the refrigerant HFC-407C) and ±7.3% (for refrigerant HFC-410A) were found between numerical model and experimental data. These results demonstrate a new and robust application of the model to predict reliably the mass flow rate through short tube orifices under metastable conditions, which enable this tool to be reliably used for the design of short tube orifices.