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Numerical modeling of the thermal–hydraulic behavior of wire-on-tube condensers operating with HFC-134a using homogeneous equilibrium model: evaluation of some void fraction correlations

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Abstract

This study presents a numerical evaluation of the influence of some void fraction correlations over the thermal–hydraulic behavior of wire-on-tube condensers operating with HFC-134a. The numerical model is based on finite volume method considering the homogeneous equilibrium model. Empirical correlations are applied to provide closure relations. Results show that the choice of void fraction correlation influences the refrigerant charge and pressure drop calculations, while no influences the heat transfer rate.

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Abbreviations

A :

Cross sectional area (m2)

D :

Tube diameter (m)

f :

Friction factor

G :

Refrigerant mass velocity (kg/m2 s)

h :

Specific refrigerant enthalpy (J/kg)

H :

Height (m)

k :

Thermal conductivity (W/m K)

L :

Length (m)

M:

Total number of nodes

P :

Refrigerant pressure (Pa)

\(Q^{\prime \prime }\) :

Heat flux (W/m2)

s :

Normalized spacing

T :

Temperature (°C)

u :

Refrigerant velocity (m/s)

x :

Refrigerant quality

z :

Node position (m)

Z :

Constant parameter

α :

Void fraction

β :

Volumetric thermal expansivity (K−1)

δ :

Spacing (m)

Δ:

Node spacing

ω :

Dimensionless temperature

ζ :

Dimensionless geometrical parameter

\(\varepsilon\) :

Emissivity

ɛ t :

Tube absolute roughness (m)

\(\hbar\) :

Heat transfer coefficient (W/m2 K)

\(\eta\) :

Efficiency

ρ :

Density (kg/m3)

μ :

Absolute viscosity (Pa s)

ν :

Kinematic viscosity (m2/s)

σ :

Stefan–Boltzmann constant (W/m2 K4)

τ :

Shear stress (Pa)

Pr:

Prandtl number

\(Ra_{{H_{c} }}\) :

Rayleigh number based on the condenser height

\(Ra_{{L_{d} }}\) :

Rayleigh number base on the discharge line length

\(\text{Re}_{{D_{i} }}\) :

Reynolds number for single-phase flow

\(\text{Re}_{v}\) :

Reynolds number for two-phase flow

Xtt :

Lockhart–Martinelli parameter

a :

Air

c :

Condenser

d :

Discharge line

ext :

External

eq :

Equivalent

f :

Fin

h:

Homogeneous

k :

Node index

i :

Internal

l :

Saturated liquid

r :

Radiation

t :

Tube

v :

Saturated vapor

\(w\) :

Wall

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the financial support provided by CAPES, specially the first author for a scholarship during 2012–2013. Authors are also grateful to the support provided by CNPq and FAPEMIG.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Science and Technology, Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucurí Valleys, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Matheus dos Santos Guzella

  2. Heat Transfer Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering School of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, EESC-USP, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Luben Cabezas-Gómez

  3. Department of Thermal and Fluid Sciences, Federal University of São João Del-Rei, São João Del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    José Antônio da Silva

  4. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Cristiana Brasil Maia & Sérgio de Morais Hanriot

Authors
  1. Matheus dos Santos Guzella
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  2. Luben Cabezas-Gómez
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  3. José Antônio da Silva
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  4. Cristiana Brasil Maia
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  5. Sérgio de Morais Hanriot
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Correspondence to Luben Cabezas-Gómez.

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Guzella, M.S., Cabezas-Gómez, L., da Silva, J.A. et al. Numerical modeling of the thermal–hydraulic behavior of wire-on-tube condensers operating with HFC-134a using homogeneous equilibrium model: evaluation of some void fraction correlations. Heat Mass Transfer 52, 183–195 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-015-1543-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-015-1543-1

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