Friction factor and heat tranfer coefficient of R134a liquid flow in mini-channels

Bruno Agostini (1) , Barbara Watel (2) , André Bontemps (3) , Bernard Thonon

1 ADEME - Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Energie
2 GRETh/LETH - Laboratoire Systèmes Thermiques
3 LEGI - Laboratoire des Écoulements Géophysiques et Industriels [Grenoble]

This article presents an experimental study of friction factor and heat transfer coefficient for a vertical liquid up-flow of R134a. A flat aluminium multiport extruded tube composed of 11 parallel rectangular channels with hydraulic diameter of 2.01 mm was used. Mass flux ranges from 28 to 800 kg m−2 s−1 and heat flux from 0.84 to 22 kW m−2. Working pressure is around 2000 kPa and inlet subcooling around 70 K. The results were compared with those found in the literature for conventional tubes and mini-channels, and discussed.

Mots clés: Mini-channels; Friction factor; Heat transfer coefficient; Air-conditioning; Compact heat exchanger

Domaines: Mécanique des fluides [physics.class-ph]; Mécanique des fluides [physics.class-ph]

Bruno Agostini, Barbara Watel, André Bontemps, Bernard Thonon. Friction factor and heat tranfer coefficient of R134a liquid flow in mini-channels. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2003, 22, pp.1821-1834. ⟨10.1016/S1359-4311(02)00108-4⟩. ⟨hal-00184134⟩