• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 1996

A numerical model of refrigerant flow through a capillary tube is developed, which considers the effects of underpressure for vaporization, kinetic energy, and roughness of capillary tube. The numerical model is based on homogeneous flow assumptions for the two-phase flow region. A characteristic chart of HFC refrigerants flow through capillary tubes and correction factor chart of geometry and relative roughness of capillary tube to select a proper capillary for refrigerating machines using alternative refrigerants is presented by this numerical model.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.177-186
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• 1996

The characteristics of the flow of pure HFC refrigerants(R32, R125, and R134a) and their mixtures through capillary tubes were investigated experimentally. Two capillary tubes with 1.2mm and 1.6mm inner diameter and 1.5m length were adopted as test sections. Mass flow rates and temperatures and pressures were measured for several condensing temperatures and degrees of subcooling at capillary tube inlet. The effects of the condensing temperature, inner diameter of capillary tube, and subcooling on the mass flow rate of refrigerants were discussed, and the mass flow rates of HFC refrigerants were compared with that of R22. The pressure and temperature distributions along the capillary tube compared with that of R22. The pressure and temperature distributions along the capillary tube show that there is a metastable equilibrium state in the flow through the tube. Underpressure for vaporization increases as refrigerant mass flux increases and inlet subcooling decreases. Empirical correlation was suggested to predict underpressure for vaporization of the HFC refrigerants.