Energies (Feb 2023)

A Comprehensive Assessment of Two-Phase Flow Boiling Heat Transfer in Micro-Fin Tubes Using Pure and Blended Eco-Friendly Refrigerants

  • Neeraj Kumar Vidhyarthi,
  • Sandipan Deb,
  • Sameer Sheshrao Gajghate,
  • Sagnik Pal,
  • Dipak Chandra Das,
  • Ajoy Kumar Das,
  • Bidyut Baran Saha

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/en16041951
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 4
p. 1951

Abstract

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This review study examines flow boiling heat transfer in micro-fin tubes using mixed and pure refrigerants with zero ozone-depleting potential (ODP) and minimal global warming potential (GWP). This investigation focuses on the extraordinary relationship between heat transfer coefficients (HTCs) and vapor quality. Since the introduction of micro-fin heat exchanger tubes over 30 years ago, refrigerant-based cooling has improved significantly. Air conditioning and refrigeration companies are replacing widely used refrigerants, with substantial global warming impacts. When space, weight, or efficiency are limited, micro-fin heat exchangers with improved dependability are preferred. This review article discusses flow boiling concepts. The researchers used several refrigerants under different testing conditions and with varying micro-fin tube parameters. Micro-fin tubes are promising for improved heat transfer techniques. This tube increases the heat transfer area, fluid disturbance, flow speed, and direction owing to centrifugal force and HTC. As the focus shifts to improving heat transfer, pressure drop, mean vapor quality, and practical devices, this subject will grow more intriguing. A radical shift will reduce equipment size for certain traditional heat transfer systems and bring new products using micro-scale technologies. This suggested review effort helps comprehend saturation flow boiling through micro-fin tubes and find the right correlation for a given application. This domain’s challenges and future relevance are also discussed.

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