Time-fractional analysis of flow patterns during refrigerant condensation

Abstract

The conceptual design and basic layout of a modular refrigerant test system capable of flow condensation and evaporation were performed. The purpose of this study was the investigation of flow patterns during refrigerant condensation in intermittent flow in order to improve the prediction models. An objective flow pattern descriptor was developed to identify and describe transitions in flow regimes. The methods developed and utilised in this study were used to develop a time-fractional map of the intermittent flow regime. The time-fractions are statistical averages of gravity dominated and shear dominated flows occurring in intermittent flow.