Two-phase flow of refrigerants during evaporation under constant heat flux in a horizontal tube

Abstract

This paper presents the results of simulations using a two-phase separated flow model to study the heat transfer and flow characteristics of refrigerants during evaporation in a horizontal tube. A one-dimensional annular flow model of the evaporation of refrigerants under constant heat flux is developed. The basic physical equations governing flow are established from the conservation of mass, energy and momentum. The model is validated by comparing it with the experimental data reported in literature. The present model can be used to predict the variation of the temperature, heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop of various pure refrigerants flowing along a horizontal tube. It is found that the refrigerant temperature decreases along the tube corresponding to the decreasing of its saturation pressure. The liquid heat transfer coefficient increases with the axial length due to the reducing thickness of the liquid film. The evaporation rate of liquid refrigerant tends to decrease with increasing axial length, due to the decreasing latent heat transfer through the liquid–vapor interface. The developed model can be considered as an effective tool for evaporator design and can be used to choose appropriate refrigerants under designed conditions.