Enhanced tube performance evaluation and economic analysis for small diameter tube replacement. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lu, Yang; Liu, Jinhua; Zhang, Liang; Liu, Xiaode; Qiu, Yuhao
• Is Part Of: Advances in mechanical engineering. Volume 11:Number 2(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Single tube -- heat transfer coefficient -- pressure drop -- STRPE -- material reduction; Mechanical engineering -- Periodicals; 621.05
• DOI: 10.1177/1687814019825705
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-8132

Abstract

In this article, eight enhanced single tubes and two smooth single tubes are selected for condensing and evaporating experiments with R134a. Heat transfer performance is compared under different test conditions. The heat transfer coefficients of small diameter enhanced tube are greater than those of large diameter tube in condensing test, while in evaporating test, the coefficients are approximately the same. The pressure drop of small diameter enhanced tube is greater than that of large diameter enhanced tube under same water flow velocity inside tube. Based on the experimental study result, a simulation model is proposed to evaluate small diameter tube replacement. The limit values of the theoretical simulation of STRPE (small tube replacement performance evaluation) are 1.257, 1.304, 1.286, 1.292 and 1.295 for tubes 1#, 2#, 3#, 4#, and 5#, respectively, for which replacement by a small diameter tube with the same enhanced fin configuration yields the same pressure drop and material consumption. According to the simulation model, the material reduction can be achieved directly for selected tubes. The study provides a reference for heat exchanger design in terms of cost reduction.