Journal of Enhanced Heat Transfer Theory and Application in High Performance Heat and Mass Transfer

ISSN for PRINT: 1065-5131

For Online Access

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2003, Volume10

Issue 1

124 pages

DOI: 10.1615/JEnhHeatTransf.v10.i1

Issue price - $138.00

M. Molki
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois 62026

Dr. Mike M. Ohadi
Small and Smart Thermal Systems Laboratory, Center for Energy Environmental Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA

A. P. Rupani
Small and Smart Thermal Systems Laboratory, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742

F. H. R. Franca
Small and Smart Thermal Systems Laboratory, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742

In this article, we report on heat transfer and pressure drop coefficients for flow boiling ofR-134a in a minichannel formed by two parallel aluminum plates. The channel walls are augmented by means of round beads. The heat transfer coefficients and pressure drops were evaluated for mass fluxes ranging from 40 to 190 kg/m²·s and inlet-exit quality bands of 0.25-0.50, 0.50-0.75, and 0.75-0.90. The minichannel evaporator design was evaluated by comparing its performance with a similar plate with a different number of round beads. These results were also compared with available correlations for a better understanding of the heat transfer mechanism in the minichannel. Over the range of parameters tested, an enhancement of two- to sixfold in the heat transfer coefficient was obtained, compared to smooth tubes with the same nominal area. From the comparison and study of correlations, a simple correlation was proposed that agrees with the experimental data within 20%.

DOI: 10.1615/JEnhHeatTransf.v10.i1.10 Download article, 1-7 pages

Article price - $35.00

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