HFC404A condensation inside a small brazed plate heat exchanger: Comparison with the low GWP substitutes propane and propylene

This paper compares HFC404A and two possible hydrocarbon substitutes HC290 (propane) and HC1270 (propylene) in condensation inside a commercial brazed plate heat exchanger (BPHE) at saturation temperatures between 25 and 40 °C. The effects of saturation temperature (pressure), refrigerant mass flux, and vapour super-heating on heat transfer and hydraulic performances are investigated. The transition between gravity dominated and forced convection condensation occurs at a mass flux around 20 kg m−2 s−1. In forced convection condensation a doubling of the refrigerant mass flux produces a 30% enhancement of the heat transfer coefficient. The condensation heat transfer coefficients of super-heated vapour are 5–10% higher than those of saturated vapour. Propane and propylene exhibit condensation heat transfer coefficients 25–45% higher and frictional pressure drops similar to those of HFC404A under comparable operating conditions. Therefore both propane and propylene are very promising as low GWP definitive substitutes for HFC404A in industrial and commercial refrigeration.