Simulation and validation of phase change heat exchangers

Abstract

Due to the depletion of fossil fuel resources and environmental problems caused by global warming, energy generation has greater potential in future engineering. In designing of thermal or refrigeration system phase change heat exchangers play a vital role. Prior to the application of these realistic models, proper analysis is critical. It will provide accurate findings while also reducing research effort, risk, and expense. Analytically, we investigated condensation and evaporation in a fin-tube heat exchanger using ANSYS FLUENT 2022. The fluid flowing inside the tube is refrigerant R22 and the fin side external fluid is considered as atmospheric air. To understand its physical and mathematical behavior, the CFD findings have been validated with MATLAB Simulink. Variations of heat transfer coefficients and pressure drops of the air-side and refrigerant side with various geometry parameters such as tube diameter, fin spacing, and number of rows have been plotted and observed. Results show that the heat transfer coefficient varies from 77.4 W/m²K to 65.6 W/m²K on the air side while 8787 W/m²K to 6339 W/m²K on the Refrigeration tube side. Additionally, the pressure drop varies from 0.0265 kPa to 0.0353 kPa on the air side while 33.1 kPa to 26.2 kPa on the Refrigeration tube side.