Abstract
Abstract Capillary tubes are widely used as throttle device in small heat pumps. A reliable and predictive capillary model within an overall heat pump model can reveal the design potential of the capillary towards an optimized heat pump operation. A flow model is presented that predicts the single and two-phase flow of propane through a straight copper capillary tube of 1.1799 mm inner diameter and 1 m length that evokes a pressure drop. An extensive and precise experimental database is generated by thorough experiments also providing refined specifications of the inner diameter and roughness of the capillary tube. Experiments are carried out for inlet pressures of 16-25 bar, mass flows of 13.5-18 kgh − 1 (3430-4573 kgm − 2 s − 1 ) and subcoolings of 5-9 K. Based on the generated experimental database, multiple common two-phase viscosity correlations are evaluated within the flow model. A proposed modified two-phase viscosity correlation results in the best fit of experimental and predicted the flow of propane through the capillary with a mean relative error of only 4 %.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
