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Novel Numerical Modeling of Concentric and Lateral Capillary Tube Suction Line Heat Exchangers

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Iranian Journal of Science and Technology, Transactions of Mechanical Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A homogenous model for simulating flow characteristics in a capillary tube-suction line heat exchanger (CT-SL HX) is developed based on conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. The numerical model is completely validated by 102 experimental data for both concentric and lateral types of CT-SL HX. The agreements of ± 10% and ± 15% on the prediction of the mass flow rate for the just mentioned CT-SL HX, respectively, and ± 35% on the heat transfer rate are reported. The model investigates the impacts of the convergence criteria setting, and the findings suggest that the outlet pressure of ± 0.01 MPa on the capillary tube and the temperature of ± 0.5 °C for the suction pipe inlet as the proven convergence criteria. The model is ready to be used for parametric studies with the noted error band just mentioned and can be applied as an important reference for heat exchanger design engineers to optimize the performance of the CT-SL HX in the refrigeration industry.

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Abbreviations

A:

Cross-section area, m2

A and B :

Constants from the fluid flow regimes

Cc :

Coefficient of the contraction

D:

Diameter, mm

dE :

Change in energy

\(d\dot{E}\) :

Differential increment energy change

dh :

Differentiated Enthalpy

dP :

Pressure difference, kPa or MPa

dt :

Time difference, s

dV :

Velocity difference, ms−1

dz :

Step size for length

f :

Friction factor

G :

Mass flux, kgs−1 m−2

g :

Gravity force, 9.81 ms−2

h :

Enthalpy, kJ/kg

k :

Thermal conductivity, W/m K

\(\dot{m}\) :

Mass flow rate, kg s−1 or kg/h

Nu :

Nusselt number

P :

Pressure, kPa or MPa

Pr:

Prandtl number

Q :

Heat Transfer Rate (kW)

R 1, R 2, …:

Thermal resistance, kW−1

Re:

Reynolds number

U :

Overall heat transfer coefficient based on area, W/m2 K

v :

Specific volume, m3 kg−1

COP:

Coefficient of performance

CV:

Control volume

CT:

Capillary tube

CT-SL HX:

Capillary tube suction line heat exchanger

θ :

Inclination angle of capillary tube suction line heat exchanger

ϕ :

Two phase friction factor multiplier

σ :

Ratio of A1 to A2

τ :

Shear stress, kPa

1 :

Inlet of control volume

2 :

Exit of control volume

2ϕ :

Two-phase

brazed :

Brazing material

c :

Capillary tube

contract :

Contraction

Concentric :

Concentric configuration of CT-SL HX

enlarge :

Enlargement

f :

Fluid

g :

Gas

HX :

Heat exchange

i :

Inner

Lateral :

Lateral configuration of CT-SL HX

lo :

Local

o :

Outer or outlet

s :

Suction pipe

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank University of Malaya for providing Partnership Grant RK005-2020 and IIRG Grant IIRG014A-2019 to the authors for research work to be conducted at University of Malaya. Thanks are extended to Daikin Fellowship Grant PV018-2016 for the partial financial assistance provided to the co-author, Ms. H.H. Poh, for conducting the research work at the HVAC&R Lab at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Malaya. Special thanks are also extended to Dr. W.M. Chin, Head of Division, Development Support of Daikin R&D (Malaysia), for providing technical help during the critical period of the research work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia

    Y. H. Yau

  2. UM-Daikin Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Y. H. Yau & H. H. Poh

  3. Daikin Research and Development Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Lot 60334, Persiaran Bukit Rahman Putra 3, Taman Perindustrian Bukit Raman Putra, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia

    H. H. Poh

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  1. Y. H. Yau
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Correspondence to Y. H. Yau.

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Yau, Y.H., Poh, H.H. Novel Numerical Modeling of Concentric and Lateral Capillary Tube Suction Line Heat Exchangers. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Mech Eng 46, 693–704 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40997-022-00495-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40997-022-00495-z

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