An Experimental Investigation of R134a Flow Distribution in Horizontal Microchannel Manifolds

Zhang, Q.M.; Hrnjak, P.S.; Newell, T.A.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/12314 Copy

Description

Title

An Experimental Investigation of R134a Flow Distribution in Horizontal Microchannel Manifolds

Author(s)

• Zhang, Q.M.
• Hrnjak, P.S.
• Newell, T.A.

Issue Date

2003-12

Keyword(s)

• pressure drop
• microchannel manifolds

Abstract

This project aims to find correlations between various flow parameters and liquid refrigerant flow distribution within a horizontal manifold supplying two-phase R134a downward into fifteen aluminum microchannels. Liquid flow rates, system pressures, and refrigerant temperatures are recorded. Prior to this project, similar experiments were conducted using an identical manifold setup with water/air as the working fluid. Similarities and differences between the two working fluids are discussed. During refrigerant testing, inlet flow rates are varied between 15 g/s and 35 g/s. Inlet qualities vary between 0% and 35%. Manifold flow path geometry is varied by using three spacer plates of different thickness. Increasing mass flux at the entrance of the manifold improves liquid distribution through the microchannels. At sufficiently high mass fluxes, increasing quality at the entrance also improves liquid distribution. The distance between the manifold inlet and the array of microchannel tubes also has a large effect on liquid distribution.

Publisher

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Center. College of Engineering. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Series/Report Name or Number

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Center TR-223

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/12314

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Project 138

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