Representative Results for Condensation Measurements at Hydraulic Diameters ∼100 Microns

Abstract

Condensation pressure drops and heat transfer coefficients for refrigerant R134a flowing through rectangular microchannels with hydraulic diameters ranging from 100 μm to 200 μm are measured in small quality increments. The channels are fabricated on a copper substrate by electroforming copper onto a mask patterned by X-ray lithography and sealed by diffusion bonding. Subcooled liquid is electrically heated to the desired quality, followed by condensation in the test section. Downstream of the test section, another electric heater is used to heat the refrigerant to a superheated state. Energy balances on the preheaters and postheaters establish the refrigerant inlet and outlet states at the test section. Water at a high flow rate serves as the test-section coolant to ensure that the condensation side presents the governing thermal resistance. Heat transfer coefficients are measured for mass fluxes ranging from 200 kg/m2 s to 800 kg/m2 s for 0< quality <1 at several different saturation temperatures. Conjugate heat transfer analyses are conducted in conjunction with local pressure drop profiles to obtain accurate driving temperature differences and heat transfer coefficients. The effects of quality, mass flux, and saturation temperature on condensation pressure drops and heat transfer coefficients are illustrated through these experiments.