Fin and Tube HVAC Evaporators Design by the Hybrid Method

Abstract

The hybrid method allows the overall performance of a fin and tube evaporator to be determined beginning from local analysis results and combining the accuracy of the data obtained with a small-scale numerical approach with the low processing costs of the analytical approaches. The program calculates heat transfer rates, pressure drops, and temperature fields for both sides of the heat exchanger using regression equations derived from known data (analytical, experimental, or numerical).The hybrid method has been progressively refined and enhanced with the goal of modeling heat exchangers more closely to actual typologies often used for HVAC application that involve intricate circuit arrangements. In order to aid designers to choose the optimal configuration, various refrigerant circuitry layout choices were examined as well as a proper trade-off analysis was performed.