Volume 11 Issue 2 ( June )

A theoretical investigation of flow patterns inside a wire condenser tube was conducted for two refrigerants (R-600a and R- 134a) with multiple mass flow rates. It is possible to determine the type of refrigerant flow pattern in this type of heat exchanger as well as the location of the change from one type to another using the proposed model. In this case, the flow patterns appear stratified (S), stratified-wavy (SW), plugged (PL), and slugged (SL). We (4-7) and Fr (2-5) in the quality range (0.80-0.4) showed the first change in the condensation flow pattern from stratified to stratified-wavy. A second flow change was observed at Fr (2-0.4) and We (4-2) for the quality range (0.15-0.05). Results for the refrigerant R134a and R- 600a indicate that the condensing temperature of the refrigerant does not have an effect on the flow pattern.

Keywords: Two-phase flow; in-tube condensation; stratified; stratified–wavy; wire condenser.