Measurement of spray boiling refrigerant coefficients in an integral-fin tube bundle segment simulating a full bundle

Outside (refrigerant) boiling coefficients for a combination of spray and drip boiling for a low pressure refrigerant have been obtained from overall heat transfer coefficients in a 1024 fins per meter tube bundle segment. The tubes were heated by water on the inside; liquid refrigerant was sprayed and/or dripped on the outside. Also, refrigerant vapor was supplied at the bottom of the bundle segment. This configuration simulates an actual flooded evaporator under spray boiling conditions. The dripping corresponds to liquid film falling from upper rows while the inlet vapor is equivalent to the vaporized refrigerant rising from lower tubes; the refrigerant vapor can influence heat transfer performance by the combined effects of gas convection and liquid shear on the tubes. For a nominal heat flux of 23,975 W/m2, a bundle average outside heat transfer coefficient of 8522 W/m2 °C, based on nominal tube outer diameter, was found at an average bundle vapor mass flux equal to 12.4 kg/s m2. The distributor plate below the bundle enhanced the heat transfer, especially at lower vapor mass fluxes, by providing a level of liquid hold-up just below the bottom tube row.