Two-phase flow distribution in multiple parallel tubes

Ablanque, Nicolás; Oliet, C.; Rigola, Joaquim; Segarra, Carlos David Pérez; Oliva, A.

doi:10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2009.11.005

Cited by 55 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Air conditioner contributes a large amount of total energy consumption in buildings as stated in [1]. This paper presents the continuation of the work by Chin and Raghavan [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 73%

“…This is due to most of the heat exchangers are facing flow maldistribution problem while a comprehensive mathematical model which can describe flow maldistribution problem is yet to remain a challenge in air-conditioning field. Ablanque et al [1] also stated that maldistribution situation is particularly unfavourable for two-phase flows due to the possiblility of uneven phase split at each junction of the dividing manifold.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analysis on the refrigerant (R32) flow maldistribution of microchannel heat exchanger under superheat and sub-cool

Chng¹,

Chin²,

Tang³

2017

Int. J. Automot. Mech. Eng.

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The aim of this research is to study the impact of statistical moments of probability density function such as mean, standard deviation, skew of R32 flow maldistribution profile on the thermal performance of microchannel heat exchanger under superheat, and subcooling effect. A mathematical model was developed in order to analyse the influence of the statistical moments of probability density function of R32 flow maldistribution on the thermal performance of microchannel heat exchanger under superheat and sub-cooling effect. It was found that the high standard deviation and high negative skew of R32 flow maldistribution profile gave a large impact on the D of microchannel heat exchanger and can achieve up to 10%. Moreover, it was found that the heat transfer performance of microchannel heat exchanger dropped significantly when the sub-cool increases. In short, low standard deviation, high positive skew, and superheat of a flow maldistribution profile is preferred in order to minimize the performance deterioration effect. An experiment was set up to verify the mathematical model. The results from the mathematical model agreed well within 10% of the experimental data. A performance deterioration correlation related to refrigerant maldistribution under superheat and subcool was developed to provide a faster solution to design an even flow distribution heat exchanger. The proposed correlation in this research offers a quicker and simpler way to study the R32 flow maldistribution problem.

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“…Air conditioner contributes a large amount of total energy consumption in buildings as stated in [1]. This paper presents the continuation of the work by Chin and Raghavan [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis on the refrigerant (R32) flow maldistribution of microchannel heat exchanger under superheat and sub-cool

Chng¹,

Chin²,

Tang³

2017

Int. J. Automot. Mech. Eng.

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“…Ablanque et al [27] carried out a numerical comparison of a manifold system with two different orientations, i.e. horizontal manifolds with both horizontal-and upward-oriented parallel tubes, and it was found that a horizontal manifold with horizontal-oriented parallel tubes presented a more uniform distribution because the liquid and gas phases were more evenly distributed [27]. They also stated that the maldistribution situation was particularly unfavourable for two-phase flows due to the possible uneven phase split at each junction of the dividing manifold.…”

Section: Analysis Of the Refrigerant Maldistribution Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From their findings, they concluded that the two-phase distribution in a compact heat exchanger was affected by the flow configuration at the header inlet and the two-phase momentum together with the header geometry. Ablanque et al [27] carried out a numerical comparison of a manifold system with two different orientations, i.e. horizontal manifolds with both horizontal-and upward-oriented parallel tubes, and it was found that a horizontal manifold with horizontal-oriented parallel tubes presented a more uniform distribution because the liquid and gas phases were more evenly distributed [27].…”

Section: Analysis Of the Refrigerant Maldistribution Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Refrigerant Maldistribution

Tang¹,

Chng²,

Chin³

2014

Int. J. Automot. Mech. Eng.

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In recent years, conservation of energy has become a challenging issue in air-conditioning applications. In order to overcome this issue, many researchers have recommended the use of a Parallel Flow Condenser and a low Global Warming Potential and Ozone Depletion Potential refrigerant, such as R32, in air conditioning systems. However, PFC faces the critical challenge of flow maldistribution in the tubes. This literature review mainly examines the refrigerant maldistribution problem which has been investigated by previous researchers. It was found that many of the researchers did not properly analyse the influence of flow maldistribution profiles on the performance degradation of heat exchangers. In order to have a comprehensive analysis of tube-side maldistribution in Parallel Flow microchannel heat exchangers, it is recommended that the influence of the higher statistical moments of the probability density function of the flow maldistribution profiles on performance degradation be quantified. Additionally, R32 maldistribution should be analysed and compared with R410A, which is the current commonly used refrigerant in air conditioning units. Moreover, in order to have a realistic simulation of the effect of refrigerant flow maldistribution profiles on performance degradation of heat exchangers, the effect of superheat and sub-cooling must be analysed.

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“…Data and Majumdar [9] extended the single-phase model of Bajura and Jones [10] assuming a homogeneous two-phase flow. Ablanque et al [11] adopted T-junction models by Seeger et al [12] and Hwang et al [13] to predict the phase spilt at header/branch tube junction. Tuo et al [14] calculated the pressure drop at the header/branch junction using the experimentally determined pressure loss coefficient.…”

Section: Flow Distribution Correlationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Two-phase refrigerant distribution in a parallel flow minichannel heat exchanger having lower combining/dividing header

Byun

Kim

2015

Heat Mass Transfer

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Brazed aluminum heat exchangers are recently considered as evaporators of automotive or residential air conditioners. In this case, it is very important to distribute the two-phase refrigerant (especially the liquid) evenly into each tube. In this study, R-410A distribution in a two pass evaporator with upper horizontal combining-dividing header was investigated. Tubes were heated to yield a test section outlet superheat of 5 o C with inlet quality of 0.2. The number of tubes was 10 for the inlet pass and 12 or 14 for the outlet pass. For each case, mass flux was varied from 73 kg/m 2 s to 143 kg/m 2 s. In the combining/dividing header, two-phase mixture out of the inlet pass is first merged and then re-distributed to the outlet pass. More liquid is forced downstream as mass flux or quality increases yielding better flow distribution. Effect of insertion device in the inlet header was also investigated. Efforts were made to develop correlations to predict the liquid or gas distribution in a header with limited success. Header pressure drop data are also provided.

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Two-phase flow distribution in multiple parallel tubes

Cited by 55 publications

References 18 publications

Analysis on the refrigerant (R32) flow maldistribution of microchannel heat exchanger under superheat and sub-cool

Analysis on the refrigerant (R32) flow maldistribution of microchannel heat exchanger under superheat and sub-cool

A Review of Refrigerant Maldistribution

Two-phase refrigerant distribution in a parallel flow minichannel heat exchanger having lower combining/dividing header

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