Share

Recommended by the IIR

Two-phase refrigerant flow in the inlet header of brazed plate heat exchangers: visualization and its effect on distribution.

Number: 2475

Author(s) : LI W., HRNJAK P.

Summary

When used as direct expansion (DX) evaporators, brazed plate heat exchangers (BPHEs) suffer from the maldistribution of the two-phase refrigerant flow among parallel plate channels. One of the critical mechanisms of two-phase maldistribution is the phase separation in the inlet header.
This paper presents an experimental investigation of the two-phase refrigerant (R134a) flow in the inlet header of a brazed plate evaporator and its effects on the distribution. Visualization of two-phase flow is accomplished through a 3D-printed transparent window at the inlet header of the heat exchanger. The observed flow regime is periodic and three stages are identified in a cycle. The influence of the operating conditions on the two-phase flow regime is also explored. The two-phase flow distribution in the BHPE is quantified by an IR thermography-based method. The quantification results demonstrate that the two-phase flow regime in the inlet header significantly affects the distribution.

Available documents

Format PDF

Pages: 8

Available

  • Public price

    20 €

  • Member price*

    15 €

* Best rate depending on membership category (see the detailed benefits of individual and corporate memberships).

Details

  • Original title: Two-phase refrigerant flow in the inlet header of brazed plate heat exchangers: visualization and its effect on distribution.
  • Record ID : 30028489
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Technology
  • Source: 2021 Purdue Conferences. 18th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue.
  • Publication date: 2021/05
  • Document available for consultation in the library of the IIR headquarters only.

Links


See other articles from the proceedings (184)
See the conference proceedings

Indexing