Condensation of the low GWP refrigerant HFC1234yf inside a brazed plate heat exchanger

This paper presents the heat transfer coefficients and the pressure drop measured during condensation of the new low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerant HF01234yf inside a brazed plate heat exchanger: the effects of saturation temperature, refrigerant mass flux and vapour super-heating are investigated. The heat transfer coefficients show weak sensitivity to saturation temperature and great sensitivity to refrigerant mass flux. At low refrigerant mass flux (<20 kg m(-2) s(-1)) the heat transfer coefficients are not dependent on mass flux and condensation is controlled by gravity. For higher refrigerant mass flux (>20 kg m(-2) s(-1)) the heat transfer coefficients depend on mass flux and forced convection condensation occurs. The condensation heat transfer coefficients of super-heated vapour are from 8 to 11% higher than those of saturated vapour. HF01234yf exhibits heat transfer coefficients lower (10-12%) and frictional pressure drop lower (10-20%) than those of HFC134a under the same operating conditions. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved.