TY - JOUR

T1 - Compensation of flow maldistribution in fin-and-tube evaporators for residential air-conditioning

A1 - Kærn,Martin Ryhl

A1 - Brix,Wiebke

A1 - Elmegaard,Brian

A1 - Larsen,Lars Finn Sloth

AU - Kærn,Martin Ryhl

AU - Brix,Wiebke

AU - Elmegaard,Brian

AU - Larsen,Lars Finn Sloth

PB - Elsevier Ltd.

PY - 2011

Y1 - 2011

N2 - Compensation of flow maldistribution in multi-channel fin-and-tube evaporators for residential air-conditioning is investigated by numerical modeling. The considered sources of maldistribution are distribution of the liquid and vapor phases in the distributor and non-uniform airflow distribution. Fin-and-tube heat exchangers usually have a predefined circuitry, however, the evaporator model is simplified to have straight tubes, in order to perform a generic investigation. The compensation of flow maldistribution is performed by control of the superheat in the individual channels. Furthermore, the effect of combinations of individual maldistribution sources is investigated for different evaporator sizes and outdoor temperatures. It is shown that a decrease in cooling capacity and coefficient of performance by flow maldistribution can be compensated by the control of individual channel superheat. Alternatively, a larger evaporator may be used.

AB - Compensation of flow maldistribution in multi-channel fin-and-tube evaporators for residential air-conditioning is investigated by numerical modeling. The considered sources of maldistribution are distribution of the liquid and vapor phases in the distributor and non-uniform airflow distribution. Fin-and-tube heat exchangers usually have a predefined circuitry, however, the evaporator model is simplified to have straight tubes, in order to perform a generic investigation. The compensation of flow maldistribution is performed by control of the superheat in the individual channels. Furthermore, the effect of combinations of individual maldistribution sources is investigated for different evaporator sizes and outdoor temperatures. It is shown that a decrease in cooling capacity and coefficient of performance by flow maldistribution can be compensated by the control of individual channel superheat. Alternatively, a larger evaporator may be used.

KW - Air-conditioning

KW - Flow distribution

KW - Compensation

KW - Simulation

KW - Finned tube

KW - Modelling

U2 - 10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2011.03.011

DO - 10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2011.03.011

JO - International Journal of Refrigeration

JF - International Journal of Refrigeration

SN - 0140-7007

IS - 5

VL - 34

SP - 1230

EP - 1237

ER -