A comprehensive study with high-speed camera assisted visualizations of HFO-1234ze(E) condensation inside an enhanced tube

Flow condensation of HFO-1234ze(E) inside a helical micro-finned tube of 4.28 mm ID underwent experimentation. Flow patterns were visualized with a high-speed camera while varying vapor qualities from 0.01 to 0.95 and mass fluxes from 100 to 400 kg m−2 s1, at saturation temperature of 30 °C. Intermittent, stratified-wavy, transitional, and annular flow pattern types were identified. The flow pattern map of Doretti et al. (validated by Cavallini et al.) accurately predicted the flow patterns. Heat transfer coefficients (HTCs) and frictional pressure drops (FPDs) were also measured for mass fluxes ranging from 100 to 600 kg m−2 s−1 at saturation temperatures of 30 °C and 40 °C. Both HTC and FPD elevated with higher mass fluxes and vapor qualities which stemmed from the presence of observed shear stress-driven annular flow patterns. HTC and FPD are generally higher at lower saturation temperatures. Experimental HTC and FPD have been compared against values estimated with empirical models. Furthermore, the average enhancement factor of the micro-finned tube was 2.94 with an area enhancement factor of 2.39. Plotting enhancement factor versus non-dimensional gas velocity provided detailed insight into the augmentation effect of micro-finned tubes under different operating conditions.