Simulation Investigation on Multi-Unit Parallel-Flow Type Condenser with Flat Tubes Distribution

Three heat exchangers, all of which have 38 tubes in total and 6 passes, with different tube arrangements were simulation investigated in laboratory. The effect of flat tube distribution on heat transfer performance and pressure drop characteristic was simulation investigated. The effect of different air velocity and flow on heat transfer performance and pressure drop characteristic was simulation investigated too. The results show that similar tube distribution has little effect on heat transfer but has great effect on pressure drop. It was found the tube arrangement from first pass to sixth pass is 10,9,6,5,4,4 has the best heat transfer performance and its pressure drop is small. The heat transfer and pressure drop increase with the air velocity and refrigerant flow.