Thermal analysis of plate condensers in presence of flow maldistribution using refrigerant R134a

Prabhakara Rao Bobbili, Bengt Sundén, Subhas Das

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingPaper in conference proceedingpeer-review

Abstract

Flow maldistribution in plate heat exchangers causes deterioration of both thermal and hydraulic performance. The situation becomes more complicated for two phase flows during condensation where uneven distribution of the liquid to the channels reduces heat transfer due to high liquid flooding. The present study evaluates the thermal performance of falling film plate condensers with flow maldistribution from port to channel considering the heat transfer coefficient inside the channels as a function of channel flow rate. A generalized mathematical model has been developed to investigate the effect of maldistribution on the thermal performance as well as the exit vapor quality of a refrigerant, namely R-134a. A wide range of parameters are studied and these show the effects of the mass flow rate ratio of cold fluid (water) and two-phase refrigerant fluid, flow configuration, number of channels and correlation for the heat transfer coefficient. The analysis presented here also suggests an improved method for heat transfer data analysis for plate condensers. Copyright
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of 2006 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE2006 - Process Industries
PublisherAmerican Society Of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Number of pages11
ISBN (Print)0791837904
Publication statusPublished - 2006
Event2006 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE2006 - Chicago, IL, United States
Duration: 2006 Nov 52006 Nov 10

Conference

Conference2006 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE2006
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityChicago, IL
Period2006/11/052006/11/10

Bibliographical note

Published as DVD-ROM.

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Energy Engineering

Free keywords

  • Flow maldistribution
  • Liquid flooding
  • Thermal performance
  • Plate condensers

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