Analysis of a Phase Change Material-Based Condenser of a Low-Scale Refrigeration System
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Numerical Modeling
2.1. Numerical Modeling of the PCM
- (i)
- Homogeneous and isotropic materials;
- (ii)
- Phase change occurs within a fixed temperature range;
- (iii)
- The PCM initial temperature is uniform;
- (iv)
- Expansion and compression during a phase change are negligible;
- (v)
- At the liquid state, the PCM is a Newtonian fluid, and the flow is laminar;
- (vi)
- Incompressible flow (density is assumed constant and equal to the arithmetic mean of the liquid density and solid density).
2.1.1. Mass Conservation and Momentum Conservation Equations
2.1.2. Energy Conservation Equation
2.2. Numerical Modeling of the Refrigerant Fluid
2.2.1. Mass Conservation Equation
2.2.2. Momentum Conservation Equation
2.2.3. Dispersed Phase Transport Equation
2.2.4. Energy Conservation Equation
2.3. Boundary Conditions
3. Experimental Setup
3.1. System Description
3.2. Components of the Experimental Apparatus
3.3. Measuring and Control Equipment
3.4. Setup of Experimental Tests Initial Conditions
4. Experimental Tests Results
4.1. Results of the First Test
4.2. Results of the Second Test
5. Simulation Results
5.1. Simulation Model Implementation and Validation
5.2. Averaged and 3D Results
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Melting Area (°C) | 34–36 Main peak 35 |
Congealing Area (°C) | 36–34 Main peak 35 |
Heat storage capacity ± 7.5% (J·kg−1) | 240 × 103 |
Combination of sensible and latent heat in the temperature range 27–42 °C (J·kg−1) | 241.2 |
Specific heat capacity (J·kg−1·K−1) | 2000 |
Density solid at 25 °C (kg·m−3) | 880 |
Density liquid at 40 °C (kg·m−3) | 770 |
Thermal conductivity (both phases) (W·m−1·K−1) | 0.2 |
Volume expansion (%) | 12 |
Flash point (°C) | 177 |
Max. operation temperature (°C) | 70 |
T [°C] | P [bar] | vs [m3/kg] | h [kJ/kg] | s [kJ/kgK] | x | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 (evaporator outlet/compressor inlet) | 11.10 | 4.30 | 0.0477 | 404.928 | 1.722 | 1 |
2id. (ideal compressor outlet/condenser inlet) | 53.89 | 13.20 | 0.0155 | 428.144 | 1.722 | \ |
2 (real compressor outlet/condenser inlet) | 60.46 | 13.20 | 0.0163 | 435.882 | 1.745 | \ |
3 (condenser outlet/receiver inlet) | 50.06 | 13.20 | 0.00091 | 271.721 | 1.238 | 0 |
4 (capillary tube outlet/evaporator inlet) | 11.10 | 4.30 | 0.0148 | 271.721 | 1.253 | 0.298 |
C | Compressor |
CT | Capillary tube |
EV | Evaporator |
LP | Low pressure line |
HP | High pressure line |
P1, P2 | Pressure sensors |
R | Receiver |
T1-4, Ta-f | Temperature sensors (RTD) |
VB1, VB2 | Bypass valves |
T [°C] | P [bar] | vs [m3/kg] | h [kJ/kg] | S [kJ/kgK] | x | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 (evaporator outlet/compressor inlet) | 19.05 | 5.47 | 0.037 | 409.46 | 1.720 | ~1 |
2 (compressor outlet/condenser inlet) | 49.63 | 11.86 | 0.0174 | 426.32 | 1.723 | / |
3 (condenser outlet/receiver inlet) | 40.90 | 11.86 | 0.0008 | 257.72 | 1.194 | ~0 |
4 (capillary tube outlet/evaporator inlet) | 19.45 | 5.47 | 0.0073 | 257.72 | 1.200 | 0.176 |
2* (real measurement of the point 2) | 46.02 | 11.86 | 0.0169 | 422.05 | 1.709 | ~1 |
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Cavargna, A.; Mongibello, L.; Iasiello, M.; Bianco, N. Analysis of a Phase Change Material-Based Condenser of a Low-Scale Refrigeration System. Energies 2023, 16, 3798. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16093798
Cavargna A, Mongibello L, Iasiello M, Bianco N. Analysis of a Phase Change Material-Based Condenser of a Low-Scale Refrigeration System. Energies. 2023; 16(9):3798. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16093798
Chicago/Turabian StyleCavargna, Augusto, Luigi Mongibello, Marcello Iasiello, and Nicola Bianco. 2023. "Analysis of a Phase Change Material-Based Condenser of a Low-Scale Refrigeration System" Energies 16, no. 9: 3798. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16093798