Condensation frictional pressure drop characteristic of R-600a inside the horizontal smooth and dimpled helical coiled tube in shell type heat exchanger

• Published in: International journal of thermal sciences 2020-08, Vol.154, p.106406, Article 106406
• Main Authors: Solanki, Anand Kumar, Kumar, Ravi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensation; Dimpled helical coiled tube; Frictional pressure drop; R-600a
• ISSN: 1290-0729; 1778-4166
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2020.106406

In this paper, an experimental study on condensation frictional pressure drop of R-600a inside smooth and dimpled helical coiled tubes were examined. The experiments were performed at saturation temperature of 35 °C, and 45 °C with mass fluxes of 75, 115, 156 and 191 kg m−2s −1. The effect of vapor quality, mass flux and saturation temperature on the frictional pressure drop were inspected. Moreover, the results obtained from smooth and dimpled helical coiled tube were also compared from those smooth straight tube at same operating condition. The results showed that the dimpled helical coiled tube offers higher frictional pressure drop compared to the smooth straight tube and smooth helically coiled tube. Finally, the correlations have been proposed to predict the frictional pressure drop during condensation of R-600a inside smooth and dimpled helically coil tube that predict the data within ±20%. •Frictional pressure drop increases as mass flux and vapor quality increases.•Frictional pressure drop decreases with increase of saturation temperature.•Dimpled helical coiled tube offers higher frictional pressure drop.•Performance factor declines with an increase of the vapor quality and mass flux.