Experimental Study on the Performance of Distributors Applied in Flat-Plate Quick-Freezing Machines

Uneven distribution of the two-phase refrigerant mass flow in the tube-evaporators in flat-plate quick-freezing (FPQF) leads to non-uniform temperature distribution and decreased heat transfer performance. Propose the diversion concept of “Transformed into annular flow pattern + Critical diversion,” and a rectifying nozzle type distributor was designed. The distribution performance of the Rectifying nozzle-type critical distributor (RNCD) and the liquid storage distributor (LSD) in the freezer was studied by experiment. The results showed that at an evaporation temperature between − 31 and − 35 °C, the unevenness of the RNCD was lower than that of the LSD. The refrigerating capacity and COP of the freezer were both significantly improved. The maximum increase in refrigerating capacity and COP was 3 and 6.26%, respectively. This study provides basic data for the application of distributors in FPQF.