Measured and Predicted Effects of Air Flow Non-Uniformity on Thermal Performance of an R-134a Evaporator University College Dublin

Format:

Conference/Event

Author/Creator:

Ryan, Aidan M., author.

Conference Name:

International Congress & Exposition (1997-02-24 : Detroit, Michigan, United States)

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Warrendale, PA SAE International 1997

Summary:

Tests have been carried out over a wide range of operating conditions on a single circuit plate-finned tube type of refrigerant evaporator, exchanging heat between ambient air and refrigerant R134a. Uniform and non-uniform air flow distributions were applied with the objective of studying the effects of non-uniformity on heat transfer.The experimental results revealed that, for a given total volume flow of air, heat transfer performances could be up to 15% better with a non-uniform flow where turbulence levels were also high.Extensive comparisons were also made between these measurements and predictions from a computer model. This was designed to simulate the thermal behavior of cross-flow heat exchangers on a tube segment-by-segment basis, allowing for flow non-uniformity. Predictions were found to match measurements satisfactorily for test cases involving uniform air flows and a relatively large temperature difference between fluids. In contrast to the measured trends, the simulation results predicted a degradation in heat transfer performance for non-uniform air flow cases

Notes:

Vendor supplied data

Publisher Number:

970831

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license