To solve the problem of non-uniform refrigerant distribution among multi-tubes of micro-channel heat exchangers (MCHXs), a novel embedded-clapboard distributor is presented in this study, in which the embedded clapboards have a spray hole to transform the irregular flow pattern of inlet refrigerant into a dispersed bubble flow, and to form a cyclic channel to maintain the regular layout of dispersed bubble flow. The design method for the distributor is illustrated, including the calculation method for the spray hole diameter deduced from the transition criteria of dispersed bubble flow at both the horizontal and the vertical installations, and the calculation method for the hydraulic diameter of cyclic channel deduced based on the Bernoulli Equation for the circulation of dispersed bubble flow. The validation of refrigerant distribution performance includes the comparison of two-phase flow pattern between the proposed distributor prototype and conventional distributor prototype manufactured with transparent material, and the test of distribution unevenness among the outlet tubes for these two types of distributor prototypes. The experimental results show that the embedded-clapboard distributor forms the regular dispersed bubble flow at all installation patterns, and the average unevenness of the proposed distributor at the vertical, the sloped and the horizontal installations is 42.5%, 45.9% and 41.4% lower than that of the conventional cylinder-type distributor, respectively.

Design method and application effects of embedded-clapboard distributor on refrigerant distribution among multi-tubes of micro-channel heat exchangers

Refrigerant flow distribution with phase change heat transfer was experimentally studied for a micro-channel heat exchanger having horizontal headers. In order to solve the problem of maldistribution, a novel manifold structure with orifice and bypass tube was proposed and experimentally studied compared to the conventional structure. Tests were conducted with downward flow for mass flux from 70 to 110 kg m−2s−1 (air side flow velocity from 1 to 2ms−1). The surface temperature distribution of the heat exchanger recorded by thermal imager and the square deviation of it were used to judge the uniformity of flow distribution. It is shown that as mass flux increased, better flow distribution is obtained (small square deviation of temperature distribution means better flow distribution: conventional structure from 32 to 27, novel structure from 19 to 14), and flow distribution of the novel structure was much better than that of the conventional one. The heat transfer performances of the two heat exchangers were also studied. The cooling capacity of the novel heat exchanger was 14.8% higher than that of the conventional because of the better flow distribution. And the refrigerant pressure drop was 120% higher because of bigger mass flow and the resistance of the orifice. It's worth noting that the air pressure drop of novel heat exchanger was also higher (about 28.3%)than that of the conventional one, even when they have same fin and flat tube structure. From the pictures of the heat exchanger surfaces, it was found that some surface area of the conventional heat exchanger was not wet because of the low mass flow and high superheat, which leaded to a poor performance and relatively small air pressure drop.

Experimental study of a novel manifold structure of micro-channel heat exchanger

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Experimental study of a novel manifold structure of micro-channel heat exchanger