Evaporation heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of R-600a in horizontal smooth and helically dimpled tubes

An experimental investigation was performed to evaluate the heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of the hydrocarbon refrigerant R-600a during flow boiling inside a horizontal smooth tube with an inside diameter of 8.25 mm and a newly developed dimpled tube. The inner surface of the helically dimpled tube is enhanced by a newly modified pattern consists of both shallow and deep protrusions. The experimental tests were carried out varying: the refrigerant mass fluxes within the range of 155–470 kg/m2 s; the vapor qualities up to 0.8; the constant heat flux of 15.8 and saturation temperature of 56.5 °C. Observations clearly indicate that the heat transfer performance is improved as tube’s inner surface enhanced by this new pattern of protrusions. The experimental results show that the heat transfer coefficients of the dimpled tube are 1.29–2 times larger than a smooth tube with a pressure drop just ranging between 7% and 103% larger than the smooth tube. The highest enhancement in the heat transfer coefficient occurs at vapor quality of 0.2 and mass flow rate of 155 kg/m2 s. On the other hand, the maximum increase of pressure drop takes place at vapor quality of 0.8 and mass flow rate of 305 kg/m2 s

Condensation heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of R-600a in horizontal smooth and helically dimpled tubes

In the present study, condensation heat transfer and frictional pressure drops of refrigerant R-600a (iso-butane) inside a helically dimpled tube and a plain tube of internal diameter 8.3 mm were measured and analyzed. All tests were performed at different vapor qualities up to 0.82 and average saturation temperatures ranging between 38 and 42 °C. Refrigerant mass fluxes varied in the range of 114–368 kg/m2 s. The inner surface of the helically dimpled tube has been designed and reshaped through three-dimensional material surface modifications consists of both shallow and deep protrusions which are placed evenly in helical directions on the tube wall. The experimental results show that the heat transfer coefficients of the dimpled tube are 1.2–2 times of those in smooth tube with a pressure drop penalty just ranging between 58% and 195. The highest heat transfer coefficient is occurred at vapor quality of 0.53 and mass flow rate of 368 kg/m2 s. On the other hand, the maximum increase of pressure drop takes place at vapor quality of 0.55 and mass flow rate of 368 kg/m2 s

Visual study of flow patterns during evaporation and condensation of R-600a inside horizontal smooth and helically dimpled tubes

In this paper, flow patterns and their transitions for the refrigerant R-600a during flow boiling and condensation inside a helically dimpled tube and a smooth tube were observed and analysed. The inner surface of the helically dimpled tube was enhanced by a modified pattern consisting of both shallow and deep protrusions. For evaporation, the experiments were performed for refrigerant mass velocities in a range of 155 kg/m2 s to 467 kg/m2 s, all at an average saturation temperature of 56.5 °C with the vapour qualities up to 0.8. Stratified-wavy, intermittent, and annular flows were observed for the smooth tube; for the dimpled tube, the stratified-wavy flow was not seen. For condensation, all tests were conducted at vapour qualities up to 0.8, and average saturation temperatures ranging between 38 °C and 42 °C. The refrigerant mass fluxes varied in the range of 114–368 kg/m2 s. Annular, intermittent, and stratified-wavy flows were recognized for the plain tube, but there was no stratified-wavy flow in the flow pattern visualization of the dimpled tube. The investigation clearly shows that the dimples in both evaporation and condensation have a significant impact on the two-phase flow pattern. Inside the helically dimpled tube, the transition from intermittent to annular (or vice versa) occurred at a lower vapour quality value than for the smooth tube

First-principles study of the optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic absorber layer efficiency of Cu-based chalcogenides

Cu-based chalcogenides are promising materials for thin-film solar cells with more than 20% measured cell efficiency. Using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory, the optoelectronic properties of a group of Cu-based chalcogenides Cu$_2$-II-IV-VI$_4$ is studied. They are then screened with the aim of identifying potential absorber materials for photovoltaic applications. The spectroscopic limited maximum efficiency (SLME) introduced by Yu and Zunger is used as a metric for the screening. After constructing the current-voltage curve, the maximum spectroscopy dependent power conversion efficiency is calculated from the maximum power output. The role of the nature of the band gap, direct or indirect, and also of the absorptivity of the studied materials on the maximum theoretical power conversion efficiency is studied. Our results show that Cu$_2$-II-GeSe$_4$ with II=Cd and Hg, and Cu$_2$-II-SnS$_4$ with II=Cd and Zn have a higher theoretical efficiency compared to the materials currently used as absorber layer

Prevalence of isolated hepatitis B core antibody among injection drug users in Central Province of Iran

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Correlation models of critical heat flux and associated temperature for spray evaporative cooling of vibrating surfaces

Prediction models have been constructed to investigate the effect of vibrating surfaces on the critical heat flux (CHF) and its associated temperature in spray evaporative cooling. Dimensional analysis has been used to construct the models to account for the influence of key dynamic parameters. Experimental measurements have been obtained from a flat, electrically-heated, copper test-piece, located inside a spray-chamber mounted on top of a shaker. A wide range of large-amplitude and high-frequency measurements have been obtained which correspond to test conditions for a piece of hardware mounted on board a light-duty automotive vehicle with vibration amplitudes ranging from 0 to 8 mm and frequencies from 0 to 200 Hz. Three nozzle types have been fed with distilled water at flow rates ranging from 55 to 100 ml/min being used to cool with subcooling degrees ranging from 10°C to 45°C. Measured data for both static and dynamic cases have been used to explore the influence on the CHF and the surface-to-fluid saturation temperature at which this occurs, of subcooling degrees, surface vibration amplitude and frequency, vibrational Reynolds Number and vibrational Acceleration Number. The measured data has also subsequently been used to calibrate the predictive models for use in thermal management systems. Static measurements (without vibration) show that the influence of flow rate, volumetric flux, and subcooling are largely in agreement with published literature. For dynamic cases, the influence of vibration is best explained in terms of the nondimensional parameters: Vibration Reynolds Number and Acceleration Number. The effect of vibration on CHF and associated temperature is assessed in detail for the three nozzle types at different flow rates and degrees of subcooling. Predictions of CHF and associated excess temperature, using the calibrated correlation models for the dynamic conditions, are very reasonable, and suitable for the intended purpose of ensuring safe operation of thermal management systems using spray evaporative cooling