Evaporator

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Enhancement Boiling Heat Transfer Study of a Newly Compact In-line Bundle Evaporator under Reduced Pressure Conditions

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 3 2006
Z.-H. Liu
Abstract For common flooded-type evaporators, nucleate boiling heat transfer cannot occur on the heated tubes since heat fluxes and wall superheats of heated tubes are generally quite low. However, when the tube spacing is very small, nucleate boiling in restricted spaces can occur easily under low heat flux or low wall superheat conditions. The generation of nucleate boiling can effectively enhance the heat transfer performance of bundle evaporators. This study investigated experimentally the boiling heat transfer enhancement effects of the restricted space in compact in-line tube bundles with smooth tubes under various reduced pressures. The experimental results show that the compact in-line tube bundles have a significantly enhanced heat transfer compared to those of the common tube bundles, and there is an optimum tube spacing that provides the greatest heat transfer enhancement effect. The test pressures have a marked influence on the boiling heat transfer enhancement in the compact bundles. The heat transfer enhancement effect decreases with decreasing test pressure. In addition, the heat transfer enhancement effects of the in-line tube bundles are also compared with those of the staggered bundles. Under reduced pressure, there is no significant difference between the heat transfer enhancement effects for the two types of bundles. [source]


Simulation of compression refrigeration systems

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION, Issue 3 2006
Jaime Sieres
Abstract This study presents the main features of a software for simulating vapor compression refrigeration systems that are self designed by the user. A library of 10 different components is available: compressor, expansion device, condenser, evaporator, heat exchanger, flash tank, direct intercooler flash tank, indirect intercooler flash tank, mixer, and splitter. With these components and a library of different refrigerants many different refrigeration systems may be solved. By a user-friendly interface, the user can draw the system scheme by adding different components, connecting them and entering different input data. Results are presented in the form of tables and the cycle diagram of the system is drawn on the logP,h and T,s thermodynamic charts. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 14: 188,197, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20075 [source]


Optimization of a single-effect evaporation system to effectively utilize thermal energy

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, Issue 2 2009
Raafat Alnaizy
Abstract Wastewater treatment facilities at Emirates Gold in Dubai seek to improve the steam economy of the existing single-effect with recirculation and vapor-compression evaporation process. Maximizing steam economy is important as it impacts treatment costs. There are two main approaches for improving steam economy in evaporators. One is to use a multiple-effect evaporator; the other is to use a mechanical vapor recompression. Multiple-effect evaporators were rejected because of higher capital and power cost. One of the suggestions that were made towards improving the steam economy was to recover heat from the steam condensate. A modified process flow diagram was proposed and investigated. The modified process was simulated using SuperPro Designer and Hysys with complete material and energy balance computation. The modified process increased the total water evaporation capacity and gained 40% better steam economy of the process. Another advantage was an increase in the amount of water reused, which is both economical and environmentally friendly. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2009 [source]


Endocrine responses of Fundulus heteroclitus to effluent from a bleached-kraft pulp mill before and after installation of reverse osmosis treatment of a waste stream

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 11 2000
Monique G. Dubé
Abstract Implementation of process changes on the nonbleaching side of bleached kraft pulp mill (BKPM) operations has increased in recent years to maximize resource use and to minimize residual environmental effects of discharged effluents. The objective of this study was to determine if reverse osmosis (RO) treatment of evaporator and digester clean condensates reduced or removed the effects of a BKPM effluent on reproductive endocrine function of the estuarine killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus (mummichog). Comparison of data collected before (1997) and after (1998), the years of the process change, showed that the potential of the combined mill effluent to depress plasma testosterone levels after 30 and 57 d of exposure to an environmentally relevant effluent concentration (1%) was reduced after RO treatment of condensates. However, in vitro production of some sex steroids was depressed with a 1% effluent exposure after the process change. In addition, in 1998, depression of plasma testosterone levels in effluent-exposed fish was present at higher effluent concentrations (5%). These results are significant because they suggest that condensates may be a source of endocrine-disrupting compounds in BKPM effluents and RO may reduce their discharge. [source]


A comparison between the experimental and estimated evaporation paths from emulsions

FLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2009
Abeer Al-Bawab
Abstract The evaporation paths in linalool emulsions were experimentally determined using a rotary evaporator coupled to a vacuum pump and calculated from vapour pressures for a series of emulsions with varied oil/water (O/W) ratios. The evaporation paths were comparable to an acceptable degree, suggesting that determination of the evaporation path under reduced pressure, combined with a straightforward calculation using vapour pressures, can be used to estimate the evaporation under different relative humilities. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Fabrication of a Memory Chip by a Complete Self-Assembly Process Using State-of-the-Art Multilevel Cell (MLC) Technology,

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 8 2008
Anirban Bandyopadhyay
Abstract Using a two bit molecular switch, an ultra-dense memory chip has been built following a fully automated fabrication process. Well-ordered templates are grown naturally using a well-defined protocol of temperature variation. This template is so designed that molecules are adsorbed selectively only into particular sites whenever they are bombarded on the template through an e-beam evaporator for a particular time. The technique is a generalized protocol that has been used to grow atomic-scale templates by proper tuning of basic global parameters like temperature and evaporation time. Tuning of the basic template parameters is also demonstrated here, and has been used to scale down parameter values following the same route. Tuning the junction profile should allow selective adsorption of more complicated multi-level switches in future. Therefore, a fairly simple technology has been established that addresses one of the most fundamental issues of continuous miniaturization, i.e., simultaneous automated growth of thousands of atomically precise single molecular devices. [source]


Boiling heat transfer coefficient of R22 and an HFC/HC refrigerant mixture in a fin-and-tube evaporator of a window air conditioner

HEAT TRANSFER - ASIAN RESEARCH (FORMERLY HEAT TRANSFER-JAPANESE RESEARCH), Issue 6 2010
M. Herbert Raj
Abstract The commonly used refrigerant in unitary type air conditioners is R22 and its phase out schedule in developing countries is to commence from 2015. Many alternatives to R22 are found in published literature in which R407C has similar characteristics to those of R22 except for its zeotropic nature. However, R407C which is an HFC is made compatible with the mineral oil lubricant in the system compressor by the addition of 20% of HC. This HFC/HC mixture called the M20 refrigerant mixture is reported to be a retrofit refrigerant for R22. Though its latent heat value is greater than that of R22, its refrigerating capacity is lower when it is used to retrofit R22 window air conditioners. Hence, a heat transfer analysis was conducted in the evaporator of a room air conditioner, for practically realized heat flux conditions during standard performance testing. The tests were conducted as per the BIS and ASHRAE standards. Kattan,Thome,Favrat maps are used to confirm the flow patterns, which prevail inside the fin-and-tube evaporator in the tested operating conditions. It is revealed that the heat transfer coefficient/heat fluxes are poorer for M20 because of the lower mass flow rate and higher vapor fraction at the entry of the evaporator than that of R22 in the prevailing operating conditions. The heat transfer coefficients of the M20 refrigerant mixture under various test conditions are lower in the range of 14% to 56% than those of R22. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20299 [source]


New supplying evaporation precursor method with CVD

HEAT TRANSFER - ASIAN RESEARCH (FORMERLY HEAT TRANSFER-JAPANESE RESEARCH), Issue 5 2009
Motohiro Oshima
Abstract We propose a novel system of chemical vapor deposition (CVD), i.e., flash boiling spray CVD (SF-CVD) to eliminate several kinds of problems, such as the decomposition of precursors in the supply line and evaporator. In this method, liquid precursors are supplied directly to the vacuum chamber through an injector, just like fuel for an automobile engine, without any vaporizers, so as to induce an unsteady and intermittent flash boiling spray in the chamber. However, it is necessary to keep the lowest ambient pressure possible because the saturated vapor pressure of the precursors is very low. Thus, this is very useful for modifying the saturated vapor pressure of the precursors. A technique of lowering the vaporization pressure is proposed by mixing a more saturated vapor-pressure organic solvent with a precursor. To determine the principles underlying FS-CVD, we first formed SiO2 film on the Si substrate. A mixed solution of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and n-pentane was used as the mixing solution. The film thickness distribution of SiO2 film on a 100-mm-diameter Si wafer was ±4% using this method. Furthermore, this method enabled us to control film with various thicknesses by optimizing the injection duration, cycle, and injection cycle per second. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20235 [source]


Study on heat transfer characteristics of reservoir embedded loop heat pipe (1st report, Influence of evaporator orientation against gravity and charged liquid weight on heat transfer characteristics)

HEAT TRANSFER - ASIAN RESEARCH (FORMERLY HEAT TRANSFER-JAPANESE RESEARCH), Issue 3 2007
Hiroaki Ishikawa
Abstract High-powered satellites need larger heat rejection areas. A deployable radiator is one of the key technologies for a high-powered satellite bus. A Reservoir Embedded Loop Heat Pipe (RELHP) is a two-phase heat transfer device that constitutes a deployable radiator. RELHP has an evaporator core which is used as a liquid reservoir to enhance operational reliability. This paper presents the heat transport characteristics of a RELHP under changing evaporator orientation against gravity and charged ammonia weight by experiment and calculation. Liquid slug position in the reservoir has a great influence on heat transport characteristics, caused by changing heat transfer coefficients between returned liquid into the evaporator and vapor in the reservoir. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 36(3): 143, 157, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20150 [source]


Steam absorption process of water/LiBr system inside vertical small bore pipes

HEAT TRANSFER - ASIAN RESEARCH (FORMERLY HEAT TRANSFER-JAPANESE RESEARCH), Issue 1 2005
Masanori Kiyota
Abstract In a previous paper, a numerical model for absorption within vertical pipes was proposed and compared with the experiments. Agreements were good for pipes with an OD 28,15 mm but at 10 mm pipe experiments fell below the predicted values. For smaller diameters, the difference between the surface area of the falling liquid film and that of the outer surface of the pipe is not negligible and the thickness of the liquid film is also not negligible. In this paper a new model is formulated in cylindrical coordinates and experiments using pipes with 9.52 mm and 7 mm OD are done. Smooth pipes and two kinds of internally finned pipes, originally developed and used to enhance the heat transfer characteristics of the evaporator and condenser of a refrigerator using HFC as refrigerant, are tested in the experiments. The absorption performance is enhanced by 30% when compared to the smooth pipes, but the difference between the finned pipes is small. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 34(1): 18,28, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20040 [source]


Performance evaluation of heat exchanger using alternative refrigerant R407C

HEAT TRANSFER - ASIAN RESEARCH (FORMERLY HEAT TRANSFER-JAPANESE RESEARCH), Issue 8 2002
Masayuki Nonaka
Abstract R22 (HCFC22) has been widely used as the refrigerant in air conditioners. According to the Montreal protocol for ozone layer protection, the total production of HCFCs has been capped since the beginning of 1996. Zeotropic refrigerant mixture R407C and nearly azeotropic refrigerant mixture R410A have been selected as alternatives to R22. We examined refrigerant passages in heat exchangers used in heat pump-type room air conditioners using zeotropic refrigerant R407C through simulation, and obtained the following conclusions. In an indoor heat exchanger, a counter flow configuration when operating as a condenser has higher temperature efficiency. When an outdoor heat exchanger operates as an evaporator, a configuration that suppresses the temperature glide by partially reducing the refrigerant passage not only produces high efficiency, but also reduces the frost formation on fins. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 31(8): 626,638, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.10064 [source]


Prediction of the capacity of a heat exchanger by a thermal network method: Modified effective specific heat model considering the influence of static pressure distributions of refrigerants

HEAT TRANSFER - ASIAN RESEARCH (FORMERLY HEAT TRANSFER-JAPANESE RESEARCH), Issue 5 2002
Kunihiko Kaga
Abstract In this paper, we proposed a method to predict the capacity of a heat exchanger by considering static pressure distributions of refrigerants. The thermal network method was modified by adding an equivalent heat generation term into a heat balance equation that was connected with calculated 1D static pressure distributions of refrigerants. An experiment was performed with a heat exchanger having two rows and two passes to verify the accuracy of the proposed method. The result showed the error of the predicted capacity to be less than 1% for an evaporator and less than 2% for a condenser. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 31(5): 376,390, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.10039 [source]


Performance of a modified direct expansion A/C unit

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 13 2010
Esmail M. A. Mokheimer
Abstract This technical note communicates the thermal performance of a modified ten-Ton Refrigerant Direct Expansion (10-TR DX) air conditioning unit into a chiller under actual operating conditions. The modified unit achieved higher COP and cooling capacity compared with conventional DX. The increase in the unit cooling capacity is basically attributed to the enhanced heat transfer coefficient of the Plate-and-Frame Heat Exchanger evaporator. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Theoretical analysis of LiBr/H2O absorption refrigeration systems

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 15 2009
Akhilesh Arora
Abstract A computational model is developed for the parametric investigation of single-effect and series flow double-effect LiBr/H2O absorption refrigeration systems. The effects of generator, absorber, condenser, evaporator and dead state temperatures are examined on the performance of these systems. The parameters computed are coefficient of performance (COP), exergy destruction rates, thermal exergy loss rates, irreversibility and exergetic efficiency. The results indicate that COP and exergetic efficiency of both the systems increase with increase in the generator temperature. There exist different optimum values of generator temperature for maximum COP and maximum exergetic efficiency. The optimum generator temperature is lower corresponding to maximum exergetic efficiency as compared to optimum generator temperature corresponding to maximum COP. The effect of increase in absorber, condenser and evaporator temperatures is to decrease the exergetic efficiency of both the systems. The irreversibility is highest in absorber in both systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Transcritical CO2 refrigerator and sub-critical R134a refrigerator: A comparison of the experimental results

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 12 2009
Ciro Aprea
Abstract This paper describes experiments comparing a commercial available R134a refrigeration plant subjected to a cold store and a prototype R744 (carbon dioxide) system working as a classical ,split-systems' to cool air in residential applications in a transcritical cycle. Both plants are able to develope a refrigeration power equal to 3000,W. The R744 system utilizes aluminium heat exchangers, a semi-hermetic compressor, a back-pressure valve and a thermostatic expansion valve. The R134a refrigeration plant operates using a semi-hermetic reciprocating compressor, an air condenser followed by a liquid receiver, a manifold with two expansion valves, a thermostatic one and a manual one mounted in parallel, and an air cooling evaporator inside the cold store. System performances are compared for two evaporation temperatures varying the temperature of the external air running over the gas-cooler and over the condenser. The refrigeration load in the cold store is simulated by means of some electrical resistances, whereas the air evaporator of the R744 plant is placed in a very large ambient. The results of the comparison are discussed in terms of temperature of the refrigerants at the compressor discharge line, of refrigerants mass flow rate and of coefficient of performance (COP). The performances measured in terms of COPs show a decrease with respect to the R134a plant working at the same external and internal conditions. Further improvements regarding the components of the cycle are necessary to use in a large-scale ,split-systems' working with the carbon dioxide. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Energy and exergy analysis of a double absorption heat transformer operating with water/lithium bromide

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 7 2009
H. Martínez
Abstract In the present study, the first and second law of thermodynamics have been used to analyze in detail the performance of a double absorption (lift) heat transformer operating with the water,lithium bromide mixture. A mathematical model was developed to estimate the coefficient of performance (COP), the exergy coefficient of performance (ECOP), the total exergy destruction in the system (,TD) and the exergy destruction (,D) in each one of the main components, as a function of the system temperatures, the efficiency of the economizer (EFEC), the gross temperature lift and flow ratio (FR). The results showed that the generator is the component with the highest irreversibilities or exergy destruction contributing to about 40% of the total exergy destruction in the whole system, reason why this component should be carefully designed and optimized. The results also showed that the COP and ECOP increase with increase in the generator, the evaporator and the absorber,evaporator temperatures and decrease with the absorber and condenser temperatures. Finally, it was observed that the COP and ECOP are very dependent of the FR and the economizer efficiency (EFEC) values. Also the optimum operating region of the analyzed system is shown in the present study. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


An examination of exergy destruction in organic Rankine cycles

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 10 2008
P. J. Mago
Abstract The exergy topological method is used to present a quantitative estimation of the exergy destroyed in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operating on R113. A detailed roadmap of exergy flow is presented using an exergy wheel, and this visual representation clearly depicts the exergy accounting associated with each thermodynamic process. The analysis indicates that the evaporator accounts for maximum exergy destroyed in the ORC and the process responsible for this is the heat transfer across a finite temperature difference. In addition, the results confirm the thermodynamic superiority of the regenerative ORC over the basic ORC since regenerative heating helps offset a significant amount of exergy destroyed in the evaporator, thereby resulting in a thermodynamically more efficient process. Parameters such as thermodynamic influence coefficient and degree of thermodynamic perfection are identified as useful design metrics to assist exergy-based design of devices. This paper also examines the impact of operating parameters such as evaporator pressure and inlet temperature of the hot gases entering the evaporator on ORC performance. It is shown that exergy destruction decreases with increasing evaporator pressure and decreasing turbine inlet temperatures. Finally, the analysis reveals the potential of the exergy topological methodology as a robust technique to identify the magnitude of irreversibilities associated with real thermodynamic processes in practical thermal systems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Modeling and optimization of a novel pressurized CHP system with water extraction and refrigeration

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 8 2008
J. R. Khan
Abstract A novel cooling, heat, and power (CHP) system has been proposed that features a semi-closed Brayton cycle with pressurized recuperation, integrated with a vapor absorption refrigeration system (VARS). The semi-closed Brayton cycle is called the high-pressure regenerative turbine engine (HPRTE). The VARS interacts with the HPRTE power cycle through heat exchange in the generator and the evaporator. Waste heat from the recirculated combustion gas of the HPRTE is used to power the absorption refrigeration unit, which cools the high-pressure compressor inlet of the HPRTE to below ambient conditions and also produces excess refrigeration in an amount that depends on ambient conditions. Water produced as a product of combustion is intentionally condensed in the evaporator of the VARS, which is designed to provide sufficient cooling for the inlet air to the high-pressure compressor, water extraction, and for an external cooling load. The computer model of the combined HPRTE/VARS cycle predicts that with steam blade cooling and a medium-sized engine, the cycle will have a thermal efficiency of 49% for a turbine inlet temperature of 1400°C. This thermal efficiency, is in addition to the large external cooling load, generated in the combined cycle, which is 13% of the net work output. In addition, it also produces up to 1.4 kg of water for each kg of fuel consumed, depending upon the fuel type. When the combined HPRTE/VARS cycle is optimized for maximum thermal efficiency, the optimum occurs for a broad range of operating conditions. Details of the multivariate optimization procedure and results are presented in this paper. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Thermoeconomic optimization for a finned-tube evaporator configuration of a roof-top bus air-conditioning system

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 4 2008
M. Khamis Mansour
Abstract This paper presents a methodology of a design optimization technique that can be useful in assessing the best configuration of a finned-tube evaporator, using a thermoeconomic approach. The assessment has been carried out on a direct expansion finned-tube evaporator of a vapor compression cycle for a roof-top bus air-conditioning (AC) system at a specified cooling capacity. The methodology has been conducted by studying the effect of some operational and geometrical design parameters for the evaporator on the entire cycle exergy destruction or irreversibility, AC system coefficient of performance (COP), and total annual cost. The heat exchangers for the bus AC system are featured by a very compact frontal area due to the stringent space limitations and structure standard for the system installation. Therefore, the current study also takes in its account the effect of the variation of the design parameters on the evaporator frontal area. The irreversibility due to heat transfer across the stream-to-stream temperature difference and due to frictional pressure drops is calculated as a function of the design parameters. A cost function is introduced, defined as the sum of two contributions, the investment expense of the evaporator material and the system compressor, and the operational expense of AC system that is usually driven by an auxiliary engine or coupled with the main bus engine. The optimal trade-off between investment and operating cost is, therefore, investigated. A numerical example is discussed, in which a comparison between the commercial evaporator design and optimal design configuration has been presented in terms of the system COP and evaporator material cost. The results show that a significant improvement can be obtained for the optimal evaporator design compared with that of the commercial finned-tube evaporator that is designed based on the conventional values of the design parameters. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Transient thermal modelling of heat recovery steam generators in combined cycle power plants

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 11 2007
Sepehr Sanaye
Abstract Heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) is a major component of a combined cycle power plant (CCPP). This equipment is particularly subject to severe thermal stress especially during cold start-up period. Hence, it is important to predict the operational parameters of HRSGs such as temperature of steam, water, hot gas and tube metal of heating elements as well as pressure change in drums during transient and steady-state operation. These parameters may be used for estimating thermal and mechanical stresses which are important in HRSG design and operation. In this paper, the results of a developed thermal model for predicting the working conditions of HRSG elements during transient and steady-state operations are reported. The model is capable of analysing arbitrary number of pressure levels and any number of elements such as superheater, evaporator, economizer, deaerator, desuperheater, reheater, as well as duct burners. To assess the correct performance of the developed model two kinds of data verification were performed. In the first kind of data verification, the program output was compared with the measured data collected from a cold start-up of an HRSG at Tehran CCPP. The variations of gas, water/steam and metal temperatures at various sections of HRSG, and pressure in drums were among the studied parameters. Mean differences of about 3.8% for temperature and about 9.2% for pressure were observed in this data comparison. In the second kind of data verification, the steady-state numerical output of the model was checked with the output of the well-known commercial software. An average difference of about 1.5% was found between the two latter groups of data. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


A dynamic mathematical model of a shell-and-tube evaporator. validation with pure and blend refrigerants

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 3 2007
R. Llopis
Abstract This work presents a mathematical model of a shell-and-tube evaporator based on mass continuity, energy conservation and heat transfer physical fundamentals. The model is formulated as a control volume combination that represents the different refrigerant states along the evaporator. Since the model is based on refrigerant and secondary fluid states prediction, it can be easily adapted for modelling any type of evaporator. The strategy of working with physical fundamentals allows the steady- and dynamic-state analysis of any of its performance variables. The paper presents a steady-state validation made with two pure refrigerants (HCFC-22, HFC-134a) and with a zeotropic blend (HFC-407C), and a dynamic validation with transient experimental tests using HCFC-22. The model prediction error is lower than 5% and it is well in accordance with actual dynamic behaviour. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Experimental investigation of an adsorptive thermal energy storage

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 2 2007
B. Dawoud
Abstract A zeolite-water adsorption module, which has been originally constructed for an adsorption heat pump, has been experimentally investigated as an adsorptive thermal energy storage unit. The adsorber/desorber heat exchanger contains 13.2 kg of zeolite 13X and is connected to an evaporator/condenser heat exchanger via a butterfly valve. The flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in the adsorber/desorber unit has been changed between 0.5 and 2.0 l min,1, the inlet temperature to the evaporator between 10 and 40°C. It turned out that the higher the flow rate inside the adsorber/desorber unit the faster and more effective is the discharge of heat. However, at lower flow rates higher discharge temperatures are obtained. Storage capacities of 2.7 and 3.1 kWh have been measured at the evaporator inlet temperatures of 10 and 40°C, respectively, corresponding to thermal energy storage densities of 80 and 92 kWh m,3 based on the volume of the adsorber unit. The measured maximum power density increases from 144 to 165 kWh m,3 as the flow rate in the adsorber increases from 0.5 to 2 l min,1. An internal insulation in form of a radiation shield around the adsorber heat exchanger is recommended to reduce the thermal losses of the adsorptive storage. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Behaviour of new refrigerant mixtures under magnetic field

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 13 2005
Samuel M. Sami
Abstract The behaviour of some new alternative refrigerant mixtures such as R-410A, R-507, R-407C, and R-404A under various conditions of magnetic field are discussed, analysed and presented. The effect of magnetic field on mixture behaviour varies from one mixture to another depending upon the mixture's composition and its boiling point and consequently on the thermophysical properties. Furthermore, the use of magnetic field appears to have a positive influence on the thermal capacities of the condenser and the evaporator depending upon the refrigerant mixture's thermophysical properties. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Considerations about evaporator thermal design in a vapour compression liquid chiller.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 15 2004
Experimental analysis with HFC fluids (R134a, R407C)
Abstract In this paper, the predicted performance of a shell-and-tube (1-2) evaporator installed in a vapour compression liquid chiller is analysed. The classical thermal design methods are applied to the evaporator performance with two HFC refrigerants, a pure fluid (R134a) and a zeotropic blend with an appreciable glide (R407C). From the experimental results obtained it is possible to discuss the validation of the simplificatory assumptions usually taken, evaluating the resulting error introduced due to the no consideration of pressure drops and temperature glide (in the case of zeotropic blends) at the evaporator. Concluding that is not possible to consider the behaviour of a zeotropic refrigerant as a pure refrigerant, rejecting the glide. Whereas the assumption of no pressure drops in evaporator, leads to an error of about 5% in cooling capacity calculation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


One-zone simulation model of an oil-injected screw chiller

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 15 2004
C. V. Le
Abstract This paper presents a one-zone steady-state system model of an oil-injected screw chiller. The model can be used as a design and optimization tool for system performance of multiple-chiller plant in process industries. All major components of the system are modelled in a modular format including the oil-injected screw compressor, shell and tube condenser, flooded evaporator and a high side-float value. The model results are validated with the experimental data from a multiple-chiller plant at a process industry. The validated results show that the part-load ratio and the glycol,water temperature at the evaporator inlet significantly affect the system performance as compared to the temperature of cooling water entering the condenser. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Effect of magnetic field on the performance of new refrigerant mixtures

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 3 2003
Samuel M. Sami
Abstract Performance test results of new alternative refrigerant mixtures such as R-410A, R-507, R-407C, and R-404A under various conditions of magnetic field are discussed, analysed and presented. The test results were obtained using an air-source heat pump set-up with enhanced surface tubing under various magnetic field conditions. Performance tests were conducted according to the ARI/ASHRAE Standards. The test results demonstrated that as magnetic field force increases, compressor head pressure and discharge temperature slightly increase as well as less liquid refrigerant is boiling in the compressor shell. This has a positive effect in protecting the compressor. The effect of magnetic field on mixture behaviour varies from one mixture to another depending upon the mixture's composition and its boiling point. Furthermore, the use of magnetic field appears to have a positive influence on the system COP as well as thermal capacities of condenser and evaporator. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


A zero ODP replacement for R12 in a centrifugal compressor: an experimental study using R134a

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 15 2002
C. Aprea
Abstract It is well believed that the hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and their mixtures are the most promising candidates to substitute the conventional refrigerants, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and HCFCs which contain chlorine atoms in the molecule. This substitution is necessary for the harmful action of CFCs and of HCFCs toward atmospheric ozone layer damage because the disruption of ozone has been attributed to chlorine. For this reason they must be replaced by more environment-friendly refrigerants, as the new family, designated as HFCs, that are chlorine free. Centrifugal compressors differ from positive displacement compressors in two major respects: high vapour volume flow for a given physical size and lower pressure ratio. They are particularly suited to applications where differences between evaporator and condenser temperatures are low. The preferred properties for fluids used in centrifugal compressors differ in certain important aspects from those preferred for fluids used in positive displacement units. In particular centrifugal compressors typically utilize fluids such as CFC114, CFC113, CFC12 and CFC11 for which many potential candidate replacements exist; however, for CFC12, HFC134a is the most suitable replacement. A comparison of the refrigerants HFC134a and CFC12 has been carried out and the results from the tests, using data from a refrigerating plant operating with a centrifugal compressor are reported. The chilled water cooling plant, with a refrigerating capacity of 6500 kW is made up of a centrifugal two-stage compressor, a condenser linked to a cooling tower, an economizer and a flooded evaporator. Experimental results show that a lower coefficient of performance is found when R134a is used as substitute for R12; the difference between the COP values decreases rising the compression ratio. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


An analytical and experimental analysis of a very fast thermal transient

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 11 2001
C. Aprea
Abstract According to some international standards, some products, developed for use under heavy thermal conditions, have to be tested by subjecting them for a short time to a particular heating and cooling thermal stress to allow them an acceptable future operative life. It is possible to obtain these fast thermal gradients in confined environments, called climatic chambers where the air is heated by an electrical resistance and is cooled with a finned evaporator which is linked to a vapour compression system subjected to a particular control system of the refrigerating power. In particular, in this paper the air and object tested thermal transients are studied from an analytical and experimental point of view. The study of the mathematical model is realized assuming simplified hypotheses about the air, the object and the air cooled evaporator temperature. The most complex circumstances are related to a very fast temperature decrease because under this working condition the mathematical model is characterized by a nonlinear differential system. The nonlinear term is represented by the refrigerating power that varies in a definite range with the evaporator temperature according to a sinusoid trend. For this power a suitable analytical expression, derived by the control system performance and by the compressor characteristic, has been found. The analytical,experimental comparison during a cooling thermal stress of typical products subjected to international standard tests as the electronic boards, has been carried out showing acceptable results. The model presented is useful to foresee the climatic chamber performances in the presence of a specific refrigerating power trend; this is the start-point for the design of the vapour compression plant and its control system. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


On the steady-state modelling of a two-stage evaporator system

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 10 2001
M. N. A. Hawlader
Abstract We develop and validate against experimental measurements a steady-state two-stage flooded refrigerant evaporator model for a heat pump drying system. A prototype two-stage heat pump dryer test facility was designed, built and instrumented to provide the required measurements for the validation of the model. Repeatability and data quality tests were conducted to evaluate the accuracy of measurements. Experimental data could be reproduced to within ±6.5 per cent of replicated air and refrigerant side measurements for the same evaporator's air inlet conditions while the discrepancy of energy balance at the air-side and refrigerant-side was observed to be within ±8.9 per cent. The two-stage evaporator model predicted the air-side total heat and latent heat transfer of the two-stage evaporator to within (,6.3 per cent, 7.6 per cent) and (,11.5 per cent, 9.5 per cent), respectively. On the refrigerant-side, the model enabled the calculation of the degree of superheat to within (,10.6 per cent, 1.7 per cent). The model has shown that there is significant improvement in the heat recovered from a two-stage evaporator system compared to a single evaporator system. In addition, the model demonstrated that the improvement in total heat recovery could be as high as 40 per cent over its base-value when the latent to total load at the two-stage evaporator is increased. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Neural networks,a new approach to model vapour-compression heat pumps

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 7 2001
H. Bechtler
Abstract The aim of this paper is to model the steady-state performance of a vapour-compression liquid heat pump with the use of neural networks. The model uses a generalized radial basis function (GRBF) neural network. Its input vector consists only of parameters that are easily measurable, i.e. the chilled water outlet temperature from the evaporator, the cooling water inlet temperature to the condenser and the evaporator capacity. The model then predicts relevant performance parameters of the heat pump, especially the coefficient of performance (COP). Models are developed for three different refrigerants, namely LPG, R22 and R290. It is found that not every model achieves the same accuracy. Predicted COP values, when LPG or R22 are used as refrigerant, are usually accurate to within 2 per cent, whereas many predictions for R290 deviate more than ±10 per cent. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]