Visualization of two-phase flow through distributors and effect on performance of evaporators

Yufang Yao, Raghu Konepudi, Pega Hrnjak

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Proper operation of refrigerant distributors is essential for full utilization of evaporators with multiple circuits. The most common principle to first generate fully homogeneous flow after expansion valve and then distribute fluid into numbers of “feeder” tubes. Imperfect selection of the parameters can affect the uniformity of distribution. This paper presents experimental evaluation of distribution with visualization of the flow through distributor and feeder tubes. The entire line between expansion valve and evaporator (distributor and feeder tubes) are all transparent. The operation in this research was conducted in real 4-5 kW R134a system. The mass flow rate and inlet quality for each evaporator circuit are measured under same superheat, which represent the uniformity of distribution. Combining this quantitative mal-distribution with the visualization result, it offers a deeper insight into the mechanism of distributor performance.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationICR 2019 - 25th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration
EditorsVasile Minea
PublisherInternational Institute of Refrigeration
Pages1215-1222
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9782362150357
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
Event25th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration, ICR 2019 - Montreal, Canada
Duration: Aug 24 2019Aug 30 2019

Publication series

NameRefrigeration Science and Technology
Volume2019-August
ISSN (Print)0151-1637

Conference

Conference25th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration, ICR 2019
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityMontreal
Period8/24/198/30/19

Keywords

  • Distributor
  • Evaporator
  • Geometry
  • Mass Flow Rate
  • Orientation
  • Quality
  • Two Phase
  • Visualization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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