Numerical and experimental investigation of condensation phenomenon in a commercial condenser with different outdoor air temperatures and refrigerants
摘要
In this study, the condensation phenomenon occurring in an industrial-type finned tube condenser through which refrigerants such as R134a, R1234yf, and R507a pass was experimentally investigated in detail according to different outdoor air temperatures using various analysis and imaging methods. In this context, thermodynamic analysis, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, and thermal camera monitoring methods were utilized. The thermodynamic analysis method was utilized to evaluate the overall heat transfer performance of the condenser. On the other hand, images of temperature distributions on the outer surface of the condenser were obtained by means of a thermal camera monitoring method. In addition, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was performed on the three-dimensional geometric model of the condenser created in the computer environment. Using CFD analysis, temperature and flow distributions on the inner and outer surfaces of the condenser were examined in detail under steady-state conditions. The results obtained showed the agreement between thermodynamic analysis and CFD analysis. This agreement reinforces the accuracy and reliability of the analysis methods utilized and also contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the condensing process. In particular, in the case of R1234yf refrigerant, the highest deviation of 16.92% was determined in the average convection heat transfer coefficient on the refrigerant side, based on the results of the experimental study. The analyses performed with various refrigerants utilized in the study showed that an increase in air temperature by 33.72% resulted in a maximum decrease of 19.84% and 10.62% in condenser capacity and refrigerant side convection heat transfer coefficient, respectively. This also resulted in a maximum increase of 42.59% in quality (the ratio of mass of vapour to the total mass). These findings revealed that high air temperatures negatively affect the condensing process and reduce the effect of the refrigerant.