Efficiency Improvement by Separation of Vapor and Liquid in Condenser Headers

This paper introduces the concept of separation of two-phase flow in condenser as a way to improve condenser efficiency. The benefits of vapor-liquid refrigerant separation and the reason why it will improve the condenser performance are explained. Numerical studies are presented on the effects of separation on performance of an R134a microchannel condenser, with the comparison to experiment data. Model predicts that at the same mass flow rate, the exit temperature is lower by 2.2 K in the separation condenser compared with that in the baseline. Up to 9% more flow rate of condensate is also predicted by the model in the separation condenser. Experiment results confirm the same trend. In addition, the reason why a certain circuiting of passes with pre-assumed separation results in the header improves the condenser is investigated by the model and results are presented.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.4271/2017-01-0180
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/19463979
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of SAE International.
• Authors:
  • Li, Jun
  • Hrnjak, Pega
• Conference:
  • WCX™ 17: SAE World Congress Experience
  • Location: Detroit Michigan, United States
  • Date: 2017-4-4 to 2017-4-6
• Publication Date: 2017-3-28

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 253-263
• Serial:
  • SAE International Journal of Materials and Manufacturing
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: SAE International
  • ISSN: 1946-3979
  • EISSN: 1946-3987
  • Serial URL: http://saematman.saejournals.org/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Boundary layer separation; Condensers; Liquids; Numerical analysis; Refrigerants; Vapors
• Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01633035
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: SAE International
• Report/Paper Numbers: 2017-01-0180
• Files: TRIS, SAE
• Created Date: Mar 29 2017 4:35PM