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A Comparative Study of the Performance of Finned Tube Air Cooled Condenser

with Refrigerants R22 and R407C

Article in Al-Nahrain Journal for Engineering Sciences · April 2017

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 Al-Nahrain Journal for Engineering Sciences (NJES) Vol.20 No.3, 2017 pp.657-665

A Comparative Study of the Performance of Finned Tube Air Cooled

Condenser with Refrigerants R22 and R407C

Ahmed Abdulnabi Imran Falah Fakhir Hatem Faeza Mehdi Hadi

Mechanical Eng. Dep. Mechanical Eng. Dep. Electrical Power Eng. Dep.
University of Technology University of Technology Collage of Techniques
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Abstract internal heat transfer coefficient for refrigerant

R22 for a two-phase flow in condensation state.
Mathematical and numerical study of finned Raymond et al. [2] constructed a mathematical
tube air cooled condenser for air conditioning unit model for an air-cooled refrigerant condenser; the
with two ton refrigeration capacity using R22 as a theoretical account is intended for design analyses
base fluid and R407C an alternative fluid was or simulation of heat exchangers that have
investigated. Different parameters were complex refrigerant circuiting or unusual air-side
considered in this work, such as condensing geometries. The model relies on a tube-by-tube
pressure, ambient temperature and refrigerant computational approach, calculating the thermal
mass flow. A comparison of performance between and fluid flow performance of each tube in the
two condensers when using R22 and R407C were heat exchanger individually, using local
performed. A redesign the condenser operates temperatures and heat transfer coefficients. Rich
with the R407C to operate with the same system [3] conducted an experimental study on fin-and-
that operates with R22. The result showed the tube heat exchangers. Nine coils tested in the
same behavior for the two refrigerants, the study were found geometrically identical with the
condensers are possible to work with R407C for exception of fin pitch, which was varied in steps
the same geometry and some modifications in the from 0 to 20 fins/in. Shah [4] performed an
structure of heat exchange with the same air experimental study for predicting heat transfer
velocity. The proposed model was validated with coefficient during film condensation inside tubes.
the outputs from the test data given in literature It has been verified by comparison with a wide
papers, derived from air cooled condensers with variety of experimental data. Anand and Tree [5]
different dimensions. The results exhibited an modeled a condenser using finite difference
agreement with the experimental results with a method, fully implicit scheme thermodynamic
percentage of compatibility ± 10%. and flow properties of the control volume are
equal to the thermodynamic and flow properties at
the end of the space step. Schlager et al. [6]
Keywords: air cooled condenser, R22, R407C, developed equations for evaporation and
numerical, alternative refrigerant. condensation of refrigeration oil mixtures. Lee et
al. [7] performed an empirical study of air cooled
1. Introduction finned-tube condenser utilize several
arrangement of the condenser path (Z and U style)
Air-cooled finned –tube condenser are widely employ R22 and R407C as working refrigerant
used in refrigeration and air conditioning fluids. Variant condenser capabilities were
application. When compared with other types of received from the numerical results and the
heat exchanger, such as water cooled condenser, empirical test, depending on the paths and the
this type is economic. In the last years, the used of refrigerants. R22 preferable than R407C
investigation on the heat exchangers servant in air for the Z-style path arrangement, but there was no
conditioning systems has concentrated because of large difference between the results utilization the
incorporation of the Protocol of Montreal refrigerant in the U-style path arrangement.
prohibition the utilization of the halogenated Yunting and cropper [8] developed a steady-
refrigerants (HFCF’s). Several alternatives for state simulation model of a finned-tube air –
R22, one of the most expecting refrigerants is the cooled condenser by using the distributed model
tri- mixture R407C, “composed of HFC- method. The model can be used to predict 3-D
32/125/134a, 23/25/52 wt. %”. Air cooled variations of parameters for both air and
condenser is defined as a bank of finned tubes refrigerant side. Ciro and Angelo [9] conducted
arranged horizontally in rows and passes of a numerical and experimental analysis for an air
definite numbers and sizes depending on the condenser working with the non azeotopic
quantity of heat rejected to air. Condensing takes mixture R407C in steady state conditions. A
place in about 85% of the condenser area at a homogenous model for the condensing refrigerant
substantially constant temperature. Traviss et al. is considered to forecast the performances of the
[1] experimental and theoretical studied the condenser. The results showed that the simplified

657
 NJES Vol.20, No.3, 2017 Imran et al., pp.657-665

model provides a reasonable estimation of the the condenser pipe, the temperature of both
steady-state response, and this study presents a refrigerant and coolant varies across the flow path
numerical model that is applicable to fin-and-tube [11]. The total rate of heat transfer using the
condenses for air conditioning unit. The following equation is:
simulation scheme developed in this study 𝑄𝑄𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 = 𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈Δ𝑇𝑇 (5)
considers the variations of fluid properties, Along the tube section the flow orientation of
friction factor, and heat transfer coefficient due to the refrigerant was hired as a position the transfer
change of phase. This simulation predicts of heat area into the calculation for the air
temperature, pressure, quality of the refrigerant, division in the side of the air and the effects of
and the temperature of the air leaving the heat temperature gradient by the refrigerant zeotropic
exchanger as a function of distance. Calculations blend, R407C into the side of refrigerant. This is
were performed a tube by tube basis, and the shown in Fig.2 within a two-row condenser,
results were compared with the experimental where 36 tubes production two paths flow of
available in the literature. refrigerant. Every tube was split to four parts, for
a total of 144 parts along the path of the flow of
2. Mathematical Model refrigerant. A site planner of the heat exchanger is
A schematic diagram of an air-cooled split to the segment of control volumes. In this
condenser is shown in the Fig.1. A condenser scheme, the exit of one unit analysis becomes
consists of a bank of finned tubes arranged input to the other unit analysis. This provides
horizontally in rows and passes of definite more exact results, and is vastly utilize. The
numbers and size depending on the amount of following assumptions are proposed to simplify
heat rejected to air. A fan moves the air through the problem:
the condenser, so the heat transfer coefficient is 1. Steady-state condition in the refrigerant
forced convection. The overall heat transfer side and in the air side.
coefficient for the condenser is represented by 2. There is no conduction in the heat in the
[10] as: axis of tube and nearby the fins.
1
𝑈𝑈 = (𝑅𝑅 )
(1) 3. The heat transfer in the return bend was
𝑖𝑖 +𝑅𝑅𝑡𝑡 +𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜
Where, neglected, no heat flow through the return
1 bend.
𝑅𝑅𝑖𝑖 = (2)
ℎ𝑖𝑖 𝐴𝐴𝑖𝑖 4. A homogeneous distribution of the air
𝑟𝑟
𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 � 𝑜𝑜 � velocity facing to every section.
𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑖
𝑅𝑅𝑡𝑡 = (3) 5. Thermal resistance between the fin and
2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝑘𝑘𝑡𝑡
1 the tube was neglected.
𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 = (4)
ℎ𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝐴𝐴𝑜𝑜 𝜂𝜂𝑜𝑜 6. After the first row, the velocity of air
assumed a same as the entering velocity
of air to the final row of the condenser.
SL 7. Refrigerant fluid at any point is in case of
thermal equilibrium.

The energy equation for the refrigerant side

can be simply expressed as:
ST 𝑄𝑄 = 𝑚𝑚𝑟𝑟° (ℎ𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 − ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 ) (6)
This equation of conservation is also
appropriate by the air side. The velocity of facing
air across the tubes are constant, an energy
balance between the refrigerant fluid side and the
air side for every segment, the method is utilized
(NTU-ɛ) to implement part of the calculation of
Figure 1: Finned tube heat exchanger configuration the transfer of heat.
𝑄𝑄 = 𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑎° 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑎𝑎 �𝑇𝑇𝑎𝑎,𝑖𝑖 − 𝑇𝑇𝑎𝑎,𝑜𝑜 �
= 𝜀𝜀𝐶𝐶𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 �𝑇𝑇ℎ,𝑖𝑖 − 𝑇𝑇𝑐𝑐,𝑖𝑖 � (7)

The heat transfer in refrigeration condenser has

three characterized zones on the refrigerant side;
which are de-superheating, condensation, and
sub-cooling zones. The heat is exchanged with a
coolant air due to temperature difference a cross

658
 NJES Vol.20, No.3, 2017 Imran et al., pp.657-665

The above expressions are used for the vapor

Circuit 1 quality range 0.1< x < 0.95. A factor, F2, is
calculated by the appropriate one of the following
Circuit 2 expressions:
𝐹𝐹2 = 0.707 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃ℓ 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅ℓ0.5 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅ℓ < 50 (16)
𝐹𝐹2 = 5𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃ℓ + 5 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 �1 + 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃ℓ �0.09636 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅ℓ0.585 − 1��
𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 50 < 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅ℓ < 1125 (17)
𝐹𝐹2 = 5𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑙𝑙 + 5 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙(1 + 5𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃ℓ ) + 2.5 ln�0.0031 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅ℓ0.812 �
𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅ℓ > 1125 (18)
Another factor, F(xtt) is computed by:
𝐹𝐹(𝑥𝑥𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 ) =
0.15 0.524 )
(1 + 2.85𝑥𝑥𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 (19)
Return bend 𝑥𝑥𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡

ii- For mixture refrigerant R407C, using the

correlation of Dobso [12], during the annular
flow the local heat transfer coefficient is
calculated as:
2.22
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = 0.023 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅ℓ0.8 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃ℓ0.4 �1 + 0.89 � (20)
𝑥𝑥𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡
Figure 2: Circuit of the condenser where,
𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐ℓ 𝜇𝜇ℓ
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃ℓ = (21)
𝐾𝐾ℓ
where the effectiveness ɛ can be calculated from ℎ𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 = 𝐹𝐹1 [(1 − 𝑥𝑥)0.8 + 𝐹𝐹2 𝑥𝑥 0.8 ] (22)
[13] for cross flow heat exchanger. where
For a single phase region: 𝐺𝐺𝐷𝐷𝑖𝑖 𝐾𝐾ℓ
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 0.22
𝐹𝐹1 = 0.023 � � 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃ℓ0.4 (23)
𝜀𝜀 = 1 − 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 � 𝐶𝐶𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 �𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 �
−𝐶𝐶𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
𝐶𝐶𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
× 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁0.78 � − 1�� (8) 𝜇𝜇ℓ 𝐷𝐷𝑖𝑖
0.8
𝐶𝐶𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
2.22 𝑥𝑥
𝐹𝐹2 = 0.445 (24)
𝜌𝜌 𝜇𝜇 0.089
For a two-phase region: � ℓ� � ℓ�
𝜌𝜌𝑣𝑣 𝜇𝜇𝑣𝑣
𝜀𝜀 = 1 − 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒(−𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁) (9)
𝑈𝑈𝑜𝑜 𝐴𝐴𝑜𝑜 For single phase’s liquid and vapor, the heat
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = (10) transfer coefficients calculation of the refrigerant
𝐶𝐶𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 flow inside tubes is based on the correlation of
−1
𝐷𝐷𝑜𝑜 Dittus-Boelter [14].
𝐴𝐴𝑜𝑜 𝐴𝐴𝑜𝑜 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 � � 1
𝐷𝐷𝑖𝑖 ℎ𝑖𝑖 𝐷𝐷𝑖𝑖
𝑈𝑈𝑜𝑜 𝐴𝐴𝑜𝑜 = � + + � (11) 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = = 0.023 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 0.8 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 0.3 (25)
ℎ𝑖𝑖 𝐴𝐴𝑖𝑖 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝐾𝐾𝑡𝑡 ℎ𝑜𝑜 𝜂𝜂𝑜𝑜 𝐾𝐾
𝐺𝐺(1 − 𝑥𝑥)𝐷𝐷𝑖𝑖
𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅ℓ = 900 < 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅ℓ < 27000 (26)
𝜇𝜇ℓ
2.1. Calculation of Inside Heat 𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐷𝐷𝑖𝑖
𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑣𝑣 = 12000 < 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑣𝑣 < 370000 (27)
Transfer Coefficient 𝜇𝜇𝑣𝑣
𝜇𝜇ℓ 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐ℓ
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃ℓ = 2.1 < 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃ℓ < 3.8 (28)
i- For pure refrigerant R22, the correlation 𝐾𝐾ℓ
𝜇𝜇𝑣𝑣 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑣𝑣
developed by Traviss et al. [1] for condensing 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑣𝑣 = 0.8 < 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑣𝑣 < 1.5 (29)
𝐾𝐾𝑣𝑣
heat transfer coefficients is based on analytical
derivation assuming annular flow in a tube, the
computations are as follows: 2.2. Calculation of Outside Heat
1−𝑥𝑥𝑚𝑚 0.9 𝜌𝜌 0.5 𝜇𝜇 0.1 Transfer Coefficients
𝑥𝑥𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 = � � � 𝑣𝑣 � � ℓ� (12) The heat transfer coefficient by convection at
𝑥𝑥𝑚𝑚 𝜌𝜌ℓ 𝜇𝜇𝑣𝑣
A Reynolds number of the liquid phase is the outside of tube ho is calculated as:
computed as: −2
𝐺𝐺𝑟𝑟 (1−𝑥𝑥𝑚𝑚 )𝐷𝐷𝑒𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑜 = 𝑗𝑗 𝐺𝐺𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑎𝑎 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 3 (30)
𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅ℓ = 50 < 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅ℓ < 26000 (13)
𝜇𝜇ℓ
The condensing heat transfer coefficient is where, “Gmax is the maximum air mass flux
computed from the appropriate one of the based on the minimum flow area, and j is the j-
following expressions: factor”. To obtain the heat transfer coefficient of
𝐾𝐾ℓ [𝐹𝐹(𝑥𝑥𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 )] 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃ℓ 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅ℓ0.9 the air side, the j-factor is evaluated depending on
ℎ𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 = 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝐹𝐹(𝑥𝑥𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 ) < 1 (14)
𝐷𝐷𝑒𝑒 𝐹𝐹2 the geometry of the fins. When the fin geometry
is a plate, the correlation suggested by [16] is
𝐾𝐾ℓ [𝐹𝐹(𝑥𝑥𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 )]1.15 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃ℓ 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅ℓ0.9 used.
ℎ𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 = 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 1 < 𝐹𝐹(𝑥𝑥𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 ) < 15 (15)
𝐷𝐷𝑒𝑒 𝐹𝐹2

659
 NJES Vol.20, No.3, 2017 Imran et al., pp.657-665

𝑗𝑗 =
0.607(4−𝑁𝑁)
𝑁𝑁 −0.031
𝑗𝑗4 × 0.991 �2.24 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑏𝑏−0.092 � � � (31) Start
4 b
−0.502 0.0312
𝑆𝑆𝑇𝑇 𝐹𝐹𝑝𝑝
𝑗𝑗4 = 0.14 × 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝐷𝐷−0.32 � � � � (32) Input initial value
𝑆𝑆𝐿𝐿 𝐷𝐷𝑜𝑜
where,
𝐺𝐺𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑆𝑆𝐿𝐿
𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑏𝑏 = (33) Input geometry parameters
𝜇𝜇𝑎𝑎
𝐺𝐺𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝐷𝐷𝑜𝑜
𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝐷𝐷 = (34)
𝜇𝜇𝑎𝑎
°
𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
𝐺𝐺𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = (35) I=1, J=1, K=1
𝐴𝐴𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
No No
In order to calculate the outside heat transfer If If H>Hg
resistance, which will be used to calculate the
correction for the tube side heat transfer yes
coefficient, and the local overall heat transfer sub-cool Two-phase super-heated
coefficients, the extended surface efficiency, ηo , subroutine subroutine subroutine
can be calculated as [17].
𝐴𝐴𝑓𝑓
𝜂𝜂𝑜𝑜 = 1 − �1 − 𝜂𝜂𝑓𝑓 � (36)
𝐴𝐴 NTU calculation
where ηf , the fin efficiency for a radial fin, can be
found from the charts published in [18].
The pressure drop of the refrigerant side is Q calculation
calculating for the smooth tube, the equation of
fanning with Pierre’s correlation [19] were utilize
No
for two-phase flow and single phase flow, Energy balance
respectively. When the flow of refrigerant is
single phase, the equation of fanning is used as yes
follow:
No
2 𝑓𝑓 𝐺𝐺𝑟𝑟2 𝐿𝐿
Δ𝑝𝑝 = � � (37) If end of tube
𝐷𝐷𝑖𝑖 𝜌𝜌 J=J+1
yes
The friction factor for turbulent flow use the
No
correlation proposed by [15].
If end of circuit
𝑓𝑓 = 0.046 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 −0.2 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 > 2300 (38) K=2
When the flow of refrigerant is two-phase,
yes
Pierre’s is showed correlation as follows:
𝐿𝐿 Δ𝑥𝑥 Print results
Δ𝑝𝑝 = �𝑓𝑓 + � 𝐺𝐺𝑟𝑟2 × 𝑣𝑣𝑚𝑚 (39)
𝐷𝐷𝑖𝑖 𝑥𝑥
𝐾𝐾𝑓𝑓 0.25
𝑓𝑓 = 0.0185 � � (40) Stop
b
𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
∆ℎ Figure 3: Flow chart of the simulation
𝐾𝐾𝑓𝑓 = (41)
𝐿𝐿 𝑔𝑔
For bends pressure drop [20]:
𝐺𝐺 2 𝐿𝐿𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 3. Method of Solution
∆𝑃𝑃𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 = 𝑓𝑓 𝑁𝑁𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 (42) The method in this model is calculated tube-
2𝜌𝜌𝑖𝑖 𝐷𝐷𝑖𝑖
by-tube through the condenser. Two circuits in
where,
the present study were simulated starting with the
𝐿𝐿𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛𝑛𝑑𝑑𝑠𝑠: The length of the bends.
𝜋𝜋 𝑆𝑆 refrigerant pipe and carrying on until the
𝐿𝐿𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 = 𝑇𝑇 (43) refrigerant outlet is reached. For each tube, the
2
Nbends: Number of bends. calculation is section-by-section until the end of
tube. Energy balance for each element is reached
The properties of R22 and R407C are calculated between the refrigerant side and air side to correct
from equation of state [21, 22], and using the the assumed temperature. The solution repeated
subroutine program listed by [23, 24, 25] to until the difference between the temperatures is
calculate all thermodynamic and thermo physical less than specified value. The logical flow chart
properties for two refrigerants. for the iteration procedure was shown in the Fig.
3. The solution method was established by a
program in a FORTRAN 90 language.

660
 NJES Vol.20, No.3, 2017 Imran et al., pp.657-665

4. Model Validation
Experimental analysis was done by Khalid
and Qusay [26] for condensing unit with finned-
tube air cooled condenses using R407C, R290,
R22 and R410A as refrigerants. The facility test
was included benefit from the supply of the
refrigerant system, which is equipped with an
open channel with a temperature control system,
and section test of heat exchanger. Table 2 lists
the inlet parameters, such as pressure and
temperature for the refrigerant and air temperature
and facing velocity for air. These variables were
used as inputs, and then from the simulation, the
heat rejects from the condensers were obtained. A
good agreement ±10% was found when
comparing the results for heat rejects of the Figure 5: Variation of refrigerant quality with
condensers, as exhibited in the Fig. 4. circuit length for R407C and R22.

Figure 6: Variation of refrigerant quality with

Figure 4: Comparison of experimental heat load of circuit length for R407C at different ambient
condenser with the predicted by simulation. temperatures.

5. Results
The simulation results are shown in Figs. 5, 6
and 7 representing the variation of quality with
the circuit length of condenser working with R22
and R407C, Fig.5 shows the distribution of
quality for R22 and R407C for two circuits of
condenser at the same operating condition, same
behavior for two refrigerants through two circuits
with a small difference in the two-phase flow
region. Figures 6 and 7 exhibit the variation of
quality along the circuit length for R407C and
R22 at different ambient temperatures,
respectively any increasing in the ambient Figure 7: Variation of refrigerant quality with
temperature causes a change in the distribution of circuit length for R22 at different ambient
quality and changes the region of two-phase flow temperatures.
and liquid region. Figures 8 and 9 reveal the
refrigerant quality with the number of tubes for sub-cooled region for R22 is longer than the sub-
circuit at different ambient temperatures and two cooled region for R407C for the same unit,
circuits with mass flux for R407C and R22, therefor re-designing in the condenser area for a
respectively. For the two refrigerants, when any new unit manufacture or increasing air flow rate
increasing in the ambient temperature and mass for older unit when replacing the refrigerant and
flux of refrigerant offsets increase in the two- keeping the same area of condenser are to have
phase region based on the sub-cooled region. The same capacity for the same unit. Figures 10 and

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Figure 8: Variation of refrigerant quality no. of tubes

for circuit1 for R407C at different ambient temperatures Figure 10: Variation of heat reject with the
and mass fluxes. number of tubes for R407C at 35oC ambient
and 1283 kg/m2s mass flux.
11 represent the heat rejected through the
condenser tubes at ambient temperature 35 oC and for R22 and R407C at different ambient
refrigerant mass flux 1283 kg/m2 s for R407C and temperatures, under the same geometry, the heat
R22, respectively. Figures 12 and 13 represent the reject for a condenser operated with R22 is
variation of refrigerant temperature, tubes wall always greater than that operated with R407C,
temperature, outlet air temperature from each tube with the difference of 5%.
and inlet air temperature with the circuit length
for R407C and R22, respectively. The refrigerant
temperature for R407C in the two-phase region
does not remain constant due to the temperatures
glide for R407C zeotropic mixture. Figure 14
shows the enthalpy distribution for both
refrigerant R407C and R22 through the circuit of
condenser, for the two refrigerants, the enthalpy
was found decreases along the circuit length.
Figure 15 depicts the relationship of heat transfer
rate with the ambient temperature. It is clear that
the rate of heat reject usually decreases with the
increase of ambient temperature. This is mostly
due to the decrease in the properties of the liquid
density and liquid thermal conductivity as the
condensing temperature increases, consequently Figure 11: Variation of heat reject with
the heat transfer coefficients decrease, and the number of tubes for R22 at 35oC
performance of heat exchanger with R22 is ambient and 1283 kg/m2s mass flux.
usually best than R407C for the same conditions.
Figure 16 exhibits the comparison of heat reject

Figure 12: Variation of temperature with

Figure 9: Variation of refrigerant quality with no. of tube the circuit length for R407C at 35oC
for circuit1 for R22 at different ambient temperatures and ambient and 1283 kg/m2s mass flux.
mass fluxes.

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6. Conclusion

In this work numerical tested the effects of

changing refrigerant type on the condenser
performance of a finned- tube heat exchanger
without any change in the geometry for a two ton
window type air conditioning units. The
numerical solution method is tube by tube method
established by a program in utilizing a
FORTRAN 90 language, the model is validated
by comparing its outputs with the previous
literature. Simulation is performed for cross-
parallel flow type, for two types of refrigerant, Figure 14: Variation of enthalpy with the circuit
R22 and R407C. The parameters used to predict length for R407C and R22 at 35oC
the performance of condenser are the refrigerant ambient and 1283 kg/m2s mass flux.
mass flow rate and inlet air temperature with
constant air velocity. According to the results the
conclusions are summarized as follows:
(1) Same behavior for two refrigerants
through two circuits with a small
difference in the two-phase flow region.
(2) The heat reject for the condenser operated
with R22 is always greater than that
operated with R407C, with the difference
of 5%, at given inlet air temperature.
(3) The condenser work with R22 is having
better performance with 6.5% than those
of R407C for the same unit.
(4) Increasing air flow rate for older unit,
Figure 15: Variation of heat reject with the
when replacing the refrigerant fluid and
ambient temperature for R407C and R22 at 35oC
keeping the same area of condenser to ambient and 1283 kg/m2s mass flux.
have a same capacity for the same unit.

Figure 13: Variation of temperature with the Figure 16: Comparison of heat reject for
circuit length for R22 at 35oC ambient R407C and R22 at different ambient
and 1283 kg/m2s mass flux. temperatures.

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mixtures in smooth and internally finned tubes,

Table 1: Geometric dimensions of finned-tube heat ASHRAE Tran., V.96, P.1, 1990, PP. (160-169).
exchanger. [7] Lee J. H., Bae S. W., Bang K. H., Kim
M. H., Experimental and numerical research on
Parameters Specifications condenser performance for R-22 and R-407C
Tube row arrangement Staggered type refrigerants. Int. J. of Ref., V.25, 2002, PP. (372-
Tube position Horizontal 382).
Fin material Aluminum [8] Ynuting G., Roy C., Air cooled
Tube material copper condenser in retail system using R-22 and R-
Fin thickness (mm) 0.12 404A refrigerants, Applied Energy, V.78, 2004,
Fin pitch (fin/in) 21 PP. (95-110).
Surface configuration smooth [9] Ciro A., Anglelo M., Numerical analysis
Number of tubes per row 18 of an air condenser working with the refrigerant
Number of tube row 2 fluid R-407C. Applied Thermal Eng.; v.27; 2007:
Tube outside diameter (mm) 8 PP. (2592-2599).
Tube inside diameter (mm) 6.3 [10] Hedderich C. P., Kelleher M. D.,
Row pitch (mm) 18 Vanderplaaats G. N., Design and optimization of
Tube pitch (mm) 21 air cooled heat exchangers, J. of Heat Transfer,
Total tube length (mm) 650 V.104, November, 1982, PP. (683-690).
[11] ASHRAE Guide and Data Book,
Face coil height (mm) 400
Equipment Volume, 1983.
Face coil width (mm) 650
[12] Dobson M. K., Heat transfer and flow
Circuits See figure (2)
regimes during condensation in horizontal tubes,
Ph.D. thesis, Dept. of Mechanical and Industrial
Table 2: Input conditions for the condenser
Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-
Refrigerant Trin Prin Tain V
Champaign, 1994.
(oC) (bar) (oC) (m/s)
[13] Suryanarayana N. V., Engineering Heat
R22 80 19.43 35 2 Transfer, West Publishing Company, 1995.
87 21.75 40 2 [14] Dittus F. W., and Boelter L. M., Heat
95 24.27 45 2 transfer in automobile radiators of the tubular
R407C 75 19.8 35 2 type, University of California publications on
80 22.45 40 2 Engineering, V. 2, No. 13, 1930.
85 25.29 45 2 [15] Lockart R. W., Martinelli R. C.,
Proposed Correlation of data for isothermal two-
References phase component flow in pipe, Chem. Eng.
[1] Traviss D. P., Rohsenow W. M., Baron Progress, V.45, 1949, PP. (38-48).
A. B., Forced-convection condensation inside [16] Gray D. L., Webb R. L., Heat transfer
tubes: A heat transfer equation for condenser and friction correlation for plate finned-tube heat
design, ASHRAE Trans., V.79, P.1, 1972, PP. exchangers having plain fins, J. of Heat Transfer,
(157-165). V.103, 1971, PP. (973).
[2] Raymond D. E., Frederick A. C., Steven [17] Kern D. Q., Krans A. D., Extended
K. F., William L. J., A computer model for air- Surface Heat Transfer, McGraw-Hill, 1972.
cooled refrigerant condenser with specified [18] Threkeld J. L., Thermal Environmental
refrigerant circuiting, ASHRAE Tran., V.87, P.1, Engineering, Prentice-Hall Inc., 1998.
1981, PP. (1106-1124). [19] Pierre B., Flow resistance with boiling
[3] Rich D. G., The effect of the number of refrigerants-part I, ASHRAE J., 1964, PP.(58-65).
tube rows on heat transfer performance of smooth [20] Bruce. R. M., Donald. F. Y.,
plate fin-and-tube heat exchangers, ASHRAE "Fundamentals of fluid mechanics", John Wiley
Tran., V.81, P.1, 1975, PP. (307-319). & sons, Inc., (2002).
[4] Shah M. M., Ageneral correlation for [21] Thermodynamic Properties of
heat transfer during film condensation inside Refrigerants, ASHRAE, 2010.
pipes, Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, V.22, 1979, PP. [22] De Monte F., Calculation of
(547-556). thermodynamic properties of R407C and R410A
[5] Anand N. K., Tree D. R., Steady state by the Martin-How equation of state – part I:
simulation of single tube-finned condenser heat theoretical development, Int. J. of Ref., V. 25,
exchanger, ASHRAE Tran., V.88, P.2, 1982, PP. 2002, pp. (306-313).
(185-200). [23] Kartsounes G. Y., Computer calculation
[6] Schlager L. M., Pate M. B., Bergles A. of the thermodynamic properties of refrigerants
E., Performance predictions of refrigerant-oil 12, 22 and 502, ASHRAE Tran., V.80, P.2, 1974,
PP. (158-169).

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[24] Chan C. Y., Haselden G. G., Computer NTU Number of transfer unit
based refrigerant thermodynamic properties, part1 p pressure [pa]
Basis Equation, Int. J. of Ref., V.4, 1981, PP. (7- Pr Prandtl numper
12). q heat flux [W/m2]
[25] Chan C. Y., Haselden G. G., Computer Q heat transfer rat [W]
based refrigerant thermodynamic properties, part2 R thermal resistance [m2 K/W]
Program Listing, Int. J. of Ref., V.4, 1981, PP. Re Reynolds number
(52-60). r radius [m]
[26] Khalid A. J., Qusay R. A., Experimental ST traversing tube pitch [m]
Assessment of residential split type air- SL longitudinal tube pitch [m]
conditioning systems using alternative T temperature [K]
refrigerants to R-22 at high ambient temperatures, U overall heat transfer coefficient [W/m2 K]
Energy Conversion and Management, V.86, 2014, v specific volume [m3/kg]
PP. (496-509). x quality
Xtt Lockhart-Martinelli parameter
Nomenclature
A area[m2] Greek Symbols
cp specific heat [KJ/kg K] ρ density [kg/m3]
C Heat capacity [W/K] η efficiency
D diameter [m] υ viscosity [m/s]
De hydraulic diameter [m] ∆ difference
Di inside diameter [m] μ dynamic viscosity [kg/m s]
Do outside diameter [m] ɛ effectiveness
f friction coefficient
Fp fin pitch [mm] Subscripts
G mass flax [kg/m2 s] a air
g gravitational acceleration [m/s2] b band
h enthalpy [KJ/kg] c cooled, critical
hi inside refrigerant heat transfer coefficient f fin
[W/m2 K) h hot
hoa outside air heat transfer coefficient i, in in, inlet
[W/m2 K) ℓ liquid
htp refrigerant heat transfer coefficient in two m, mean, minimum, maximum
phase region [W/m2 K] min, max
j Colburn factor o, out out, outlet
Kf Pierre’s boiling number r refrigerant
k thermal conductivity [W/m K] rej reject
L tube length [m] t tube
m° mass flow rate [kg/s]
N number of tubes

‫ زﻋﻧﻔﺔ ﻣﺑرد ﺑﺎﻟﮭواء ﯾﻌﻣل ﺑﻣﺎﺋﻌﻲ اﻟﺗﺛﻠﯾﺞ‬- ‫ﻣﻘﺎرﻧﺔ اداء ﻣﻛﺛف اﻧﺑوب‬
R407C ‫ و‬R22
‫ﻓﺎﺋﺰة ﻣﮭﺪي ھﺎدي‬ ‫ﻓﻼح ﻓﺎﺧﺮ ﺣﺎﺗﻢ‬ ‫اﺣﻤﺪ ﻋﺒﺪ اﻟﻨﺒﻲ ﻋﻤﺮان‬
‫ﻗﺳم اﻟﮭﻧدﺳﺔ اﻟﻛﮭرﺑﺎﺋﯾﺔ واﻻﻟﻛﺗروﻧﯾﺔ‬ ‫ﻗﺴﻢ اﻟﮭﻨﺪﺳﺔ اﻟﻤﯿﻜﺎﻧﯿﻜﯿﺔ‬ ‫ﻗﺳم اﻟﮭﻧدﺳﺔ اﻟﻣﯾﻛﺎﻧﯾﻛﯾﺔ‬
‫اﻟﻛﻠﯾﺔ اﻟﺗﻘﻧﯾﺔ‬ ‫اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ اﻟﺘﻜﻨﻮﻟﻮﺟﯿﺔ‬ ‫اﻟﺟﺎﻣﻌﺔ اﻟﺗﻛﻧوﻟوﺟﯾﺔ‬

‫اﻟﺧﻼﺻﺔ‬
‫ﺗم ﻓﻲ ھذا اﻟﺑﺣث دراﺳﺔ ﻋددﯾﺔ ورﯾﺎﺿﯾﺔ ﻻداء ﻣﻛﺛف ذو اﻧﺎﺑﯾب ﻣزﻋﻧﻔﺔ ﻓﻲ وﺣدة ﺗﻛﯾﯾف ھواء ﺳﻌﺔ اﺛﻧﯾن طن ﺗﺑرﯾد ﺗﻌﻣل‬
‫ وﻣﻌدل‬,‫ ودرﺟﺔ ﺣرارة اﻟﻣﺣﯾط‬,‫ ﺗﻣت دراﺳت ﻋدة ﻣﺗﻐﯾرات ﻛﺿﻐط اﻟﻣﻛﺛف‬.‫ ﻛﻣﺎﺋﻊ ﺑدﯾل‬R407C‫ ﻛﻣﺎﺋﻊ اﺳﺎﺳﻲ و‬R22 ‫ﺑﻣﺎﺋﻊ اﻟﺗﺛﻠﯾﺞ‬
‫ وﺟد اﻧﮫ ﯾﺟب اﻋﺎدة ﺗﺻﻣﯾم اﻟﻣﻛﺛف‬R22 ‫ و‬R407C ‫ ﻋﻧد ﻣﻘﺎرﻧﺔ اداء اﻟﻣﻛﺛف ﻋﻧدﻣﺎ ﯾﻌﻣل ﺑﻣﺎﺋﻌﻲ اﻟﺗﺛﻠﯾﺞ‬.‫ﺗدﻓق اﻟﻛﺗﻠﺔ ﻟﻣﺎﺋﻌﻲ اﻟﺗﺛﻠﯾﺞ‬
‫ اظﮭرت اﻟﻧﺗﺎﺋﺞ ﺗﺷﺎﺑﮫ ﻓﻲ ﺳﻠوك ﻣﺎﺋﻌﻲ اﻟﺗﺛﻠﯾﺞ ﻟذا ﯾﻣﻛن ان‬.‫ ﻣﻊ اﻻﺑﻘﺎء ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﻔس اﺟزاء اﻟﻣﻧظوﻣﺔ اﻻﺧرى‬R407C ‫ﻟﯾﻼﺋم اﻟﻌﻣل ﻣﻊ اﻟﻣﺎﺋﻊ‬
‫ ﺗم ﻣطﺎﺑﻘﺔ‬.‫ ﺑﻧﻔس اﻟوﺣدة ﻣﻊ ﺑﻌض اﻟﺗﺣﺳﯾﻧﺎت ﻓﻲ ﺗرﻛﯾب اﻟﻣﺑﺎدل اﻟﺣراري وﻟﻧﻔس ﺳرﻋﺔ اﻟﮭواء‬R407C ‫ﯾﻌﻣل اﻟﻣﻛﺛف ﺑﻣﺎﺋﻊ اﻟﺗﺛﻠﯾﺞ‬
‫ ووﺟد ان ﻧﺳﺑﺔ اﻟﺗواﻓق ﻣﻊ اﻟﻧﺗﺎﺋﺞ اﻟﻌﻣﻠﯾﺔ ﻟﻛﻣﯾﺔ اﻟﺣرارة‬, ‫ﻧﺗﺎﺋﺞ اﻻﻧﻣوذج اﻟﻣﻘﺗرح ﻣﻊ اﻟﻧﺗﺎﺋﺞ اﻟﻌﻣﻠﯾﺔ اﻟﻣﻧﺷورة ﻓﻲ اﻟﺑﺣوث وﻻﺑﻌﺎد ﻣﺧﺗﻠﻔﺔ‬
. ± % 10 ‫اﻟﻣطروﺣﺔ ﻓﻲ اﻟﻣﻛﺛف ھﻲ ﺑﺣدود‬

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