Publication Cover
Numerical Heat Transfer, Part A: Applications
An International Journal of Computation and Methodology
Volume 71, 2017 - Issue 4
432
Views
24
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Numerical simulation of R410A condensation in horizontal microfin tubes

, &
Pages 361-376 | Received 23 Nov 2015, Accepted 05 Sep 2016, Published online: 13 Mar 2017
 

ABSTRACT

The heat transfer characteristics of condensation for R410A inside horizontal microfin tubes with 0° and 18° helical angles were investigated numerically. The numerical data fit well with the experimental results and with the empirical correlations. The results indicate that local heat transfer coefficients increase with increasing mass flux, vapor quality, and helical angle. The heat transfer enhancement in the helical microfin tubes is more pronounced at higher mass flux and vapor quality. The centrifugal force induced by the microfin with a 18° helical angle tends to spread the liquid from the bottom to the top, leading to a nearly symmetrical liquid–vapor interface during condensation. Swirling flows in the liquid phase are observed in the tube with the 18° helical angle, but the liquid phase tends to flow to the bottom due to gravity in the tube with the 0° helical angle.

Nomenclature

Cp=

specific heat capacity (J kg−1 K−1)

di=

inner tube diameter (m)

e=

Fin height (m)

E=

specific sensible enthalpy (J kg−1)

F=

volumetric body force (N m−3)

g=

gravitational acceleration ( m s−2)

G=

mass flux (kg m−2 s−1)

h=

heat transfer coefficient ( W m−2 K−1)

hlv=

latent heat of vaporization (J kg−1)

k=

turbulent kinetic energy (m2 s−2)

m=

mass source due to phase change (kg m−3 s−1)

MAD=

mean average deviation (−)

MRD=

mean relative deviation (−)

Ns=

number of fins (−)

q=

heat flux ( W m−2)

r=

coefficient of mass source (s−1)

Re=

Reynolds number (–)

T=

temperature (K)

v=

velocity ( m s−1)

x=

vapor quality (−)

α=

volume fraction (−)

β=

helical angle (°)

θ=

apex angle of the fin (°)

κ=

curvature of the interface (m−1)

λ=

thermal conductivity ( W m−1 K−1)

μ=

dynamic viscosity (Pa s)

ρ=

density (kg m−3)

σ=

surface tension (N m−1)

ω=

specific dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy (s−1)

Subscripts=
cal=

results predicted by correlation

l=

liquid phase

sat=

saturation status

sim=

results obtained by simulation

tp=

two phase

v=

vapor phase

wall=

wall

Nomenclature

Cp=

specific heat capacity (J kg−1 K−1)

di=

inner tube diameter (m)

e=

Fin height (m)

E=

specific sensible enthalpy (J kg−1)

F=

volumetric body force (N m−3)

g=

gravitational acceleration ( m s−2)

G=

mass flux (kg m−2 s−1)

h=

heat transfer coefficient ( W m−2 K−1)

hlv=

latent heat of vaporization (J kg−1)

k=

turbulent kinetic energy (m2 s−2)

m=

mass source due to phase change (kg m−3 s−1)

MAD=

mean average deviation (−)

MRD=

mean relative deviation (−)

Ns=

number of fins (−)

q=

heat flux ( W m−2)

r=

coefficient of mass source (s−1)

Re=

Reynolds number (–)

T=

temperature (K)

v=

velocity ( m s−1)

x=

vapor quality (−)

α=

volume fraction (−)

β=

helical angle (°)

θ=

apex angle of the fin (°)

κ=

curvature of the interface (m−1)

λ=

thermal conductivity ( W m−1 K−1)

μ=

dynamic viscosity (Pa s)

ρ=

density (kg m−3)

σ=

surface tension (N m−1)

ω=

specific dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy (s−1)

Subscripts=
cal=

results predicted by correlation

l=

liquid phase

sat=

saturation status

sim=

results obtained by simulation

tp=

two phase

v=

vapor phase

wall=

wall

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.