Thermal and Visualisation Study of the HFE7100 Refrigerant Condensation Process

Abstract Technological advances are contributing to the search for highly efficient energy designs, and increasing interest in compact heat exchangers. Indeed, small channel diameters determine large heat transfer coefficients and condition a significant heat transfer area about the overall volume of the heat exchanger, as well as a smaller amount of refrigerant flowing in the system. Nevertheless, the operating stability and energy efficiency of compact heat exchangers are influenced by two-phase flow structures, which depend on thermal flow parameters. Knowledge of the structures formed during the condensation process is therefore essential for optimising the operation of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment. This article presents the results from experimental studies of the HFE7100 refrigerant, from the hydrofluorocarbon group, condensation process in mini-channels with hydraulic diameters dh = 2.0 mm, 1.2 mm, 0.8 mm and 0.5 mm. Thermal flow characteristics were determined, and the forming structures of two-phase flow were recorded. The results of visualisation were subjected to morphological image analysis, based on a special algorithm written in MATLAB software. The algorithm makes it possible to determine the void fraction, which is necessary for calculating the vapour quality, as well as the area of vapour bubbles and their number, directionality and length along the x- and y-axes.