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Experimental research on influence of refrigerant charge on heat transfer characteristic of micro-channel evaporator
- Jinli LU Tingting YIN Yafang HAN Yajin LIU
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The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering. 2022, 22(1):
14-21.
DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.220342
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With the advantages of compact structure, small size, high heat exchange efficiency, and low refrigerant charge, the microchannel heat exchanger has broad application prospects in the fields of electronic components, automobiles, heat pumps, air conditioners, etc. According to the literatures, the microchannel heat exchangers are currently used more in electronic components and automobiles, but less in household air conditioners. Therefore, the microchannel heat exchanger was designed and produced based on aluminum materials and employed as evaporator of cabinet air conditioning. The surface temperature distribution, cooling capacity, input power, and energy efficiency ratio (EER) were researched under the conditions of three inlet types (Z-Inlet, Y-Inlet, U-Inlet) and five refrigerant charges (in the range of 800~1600 g). Furthermore, the results were compared with the finned-tube evaporator which was composed of cooper tubes and aluminum fins. The results showed that the Z-Inlet type had uniform flow rate distribution, uniform surface temperature distribution, and excellent heat transfer performance because of the same length of the flow inside of microchannel evaporator. The Z-Inlet type of microchannel evaporator had the highest cooling capacity and EER. Compared with the other two type (Y-Inlet, U-Inlet), the cooling capacity and EER increased by a maximum of 8.8% and 5.7%, respectively. The cooling capacity and EER of microchannel evaporator were significantly higher than that of finned-tube evaporator, with an average increase of 11%, and a maximum of 13.3% (about 600 W). And the EER increased by an average of 9.36%, and a maximum of 12.4%. In addition, compared with finned-tube evaporator, the refrigerant charge of microchannel evaporator can be reduced by 200 g when the cooling capacity and EER with the maximum value. Therefore, the research results of this work can provide data support for the development and design of microchannel evaporators, optimization of operating parameters, and support the application of microchannel evaporators in the field of air conditioning.