Pressure Drop Measurements in Microchannel Heat Exchanger

Yin, J.M.; Bullard, C.W.; Hrnjak, P.S.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/13354 Copy

Description

Title

Pressure Drop Measurements in Microchannel Heat Exchanger

Author(s)

• Yin, J.M.
• Bullard, C.W.
• Hrnjak, P.S.

Issue Date

2000-04

Keyword(s)

• microchannel heat exchangers
• pressure drop
• Moody Chart

Abstract

Single-phase pressure drops inside a microchannel heat exchanger were tested systematically. Local pressure drop coefficients were determined from the experimental data and compared with published correlations. Results confirmed the Moody Chart to be applicable for the submillimeter channel flows used in heat exchangers explored. Based on nonintrusive testing followed by destructive evaluation, two types of manufacturing defects were quantified: variation of microchannel port diameters; and port blockage by brazing flux. A pressure drop model for the whole heat exchanger was developed, and predicted the pressure and mass flow rate distribution inside the heat exchanger. It can also be used as a design tool to optimize microchannel tube dimensions and heat exchanger circuiting. Most importantly, simple nitrogen flow tests can now be used to control the quality of the brazing process by detecting the presence of blocked or deformed ports in the finished product.

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 CR-30

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/13354

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