This study experimentally investigates the effect of circuitry on the refrigerant-side pressure drops of plate finned tube evaporators. Experiments were performed with countercross, parallel-cross, and z-shape arrangements. The results showed that the parallel-cross-flow circuit gives a lower pressure drop than other arrangements. Generally, the refrigerant-side pressure drops increase with air frontal velocities. However, for G=200 kg/m2s˙s and parallel flow, the pressure drops decrease with increase of air frontal velocity. This unusual characteristic is most likely related to the flow pattern transition when subjected to heat addition.
This study experimentally investigates the effect of circuitry on the performance of plate finned tube evaporators. Experiments were carried out with the heat exchangers having 1-circuit arrangements. A total of six circuitry were examined in this study, including two counter-cross, two parallel-cross, and two z-shape arrangements. The results showed that the counter-cross arrangement gives the best performance. However, heat conduction along the fins may offset the benefits of the counter-cross arrangement. In addition, the pressure drop of refrigerant-side increased with frontal velocities. Among the six 1-circuit arrangements, the parallel-cross flow circuit would produce a larger pressure drop than other arrangements. However, for G = 200 kg/m2·s and parallel flow, the pressure drops decrease with increase of the frontal velocity. The unusual characteristics are likely related to the flow pattern transition subjected to heat addition. The location of refrigerant inlet does not significantly affect the performance of heat exchangers.
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