Abstract
The evaporation pressure drop of $CO_2$ (R-744) in a horizontal tube was investigated experimentally. The main components of the refrigerant loop are a receiver, a variable-speed pump, a mass flow meter, a pre-heater and an evaporator (test section). The test section consists of a smooth, horizontal stainless steel tube of 4.57 mm inner diameter. The experiments were conducted at saturation temperature of $-5^{\circ}C\;to\;5^{\circ}C$, and heat flux of 10 to $40kW/m^2$. The test results showed that the evaporation pressure drop of $CO_2$ are highly dependent on the vapor quality, heat flux and saturation temperature. The measured pressure drop during the evaporation process of $CO_2$ increases with increased mass flux, and decreased saturation temperature. The evaporation pressure drop of $CO_2$ is much lower than that of R 22. In comparison with test results and existing correlations, the best fit of the present experimental data is obtained with the previous correlation. But existing correlations failed to predict the evaporation pressure drop of $CO_2$. Therefore, it is necessary to develop reliable and accurate predictions determining the evaporation pressure drop of $CO_2$ in a horizontal tube.
