Abstract
An experimental investigation was performed to develop an empirical correlation of R-410A flowing through short tube orifices working near the critical region. Tests were executed by varying upstream pressure from 2,619 kPa to 4,551 kPa, and upstream subcooling from 2.8 and $11.1^{\circ}C$. The experimental data were represented as a function of major operating parameters and short tube diameter. As compared to mass flow trends at normal upstream pressures, flow dependency on upstream subcooling became more significant at high upstream pressures due to a higher density change. Based on the database obtained from this study and literature, an empirical correlation was developed from a power law form of dimensionless parameters generated by the Buckingham Pi theorem. The correlation yielded good agreement with the data. Approximately $92\%$ of the data were correlated within a relative deviation of $5\%$.