CFD Analysis of Condensing Heat Transfer Through Minichannel

The study of the condensation heat transfer coefficient inside microchannels and minichannel is still somewhat difficult task, particularly when studied within single minichannel. The application of minichannel in industrial cooling, electronic cooling, compact heat exchanger, space cooling, railway cooling, etc. The heat transfer coefficient h is a measure of the effectiveness, and important to determine the value of it in the two-phase condensation area in a tube condenser. The local heat transfer coefficient will be measured and analysed during condensation of different refrigerant with 0.3 to 3 mm diameter circular minichannel and will be compared versus different correlations. Tests are carried out at mass fluxes ranging between 100 and 800 kg/m2 s. The volume of fluid (VOF) is used to track the vapour-liquid interface, with the effect of shear stress, gravity and shear tension taken into account. Experimental and CFD data analyzed to show the influence of saturation temperature, mass velocities, vapour quality and fluid properties in heat transfer rate.