In order to study the heat transfer of R410A in extreme environments, the properties of several stainless steel and copper-enhanced tubes were evaluated using R410A as the working fluid, and the results were compared with those of smooth tubes. Tubes evaluated include: smooth, herringbone (EHT-HB) and helix (EHT-HX) microgroove, herringbone/dimple (EHT-HB/D); herringbone/hydrophobic (EHT-HB/HY); and composite enhancement 1EHT (three-dimensional). Experimental conditions include a saturation temperature of 318.15K with a saturation pressure of 2733.5 kPa; a mass velocity in the range between 50 and 400 kg/(m2·s); and an inlet quality controlled at 0.8 and an outlet quality of 0.2. Results indicate that the EHT-HB/D tube produces the best overall condensation heat transfer characteristics (high heat transfer performance and low frictional pressure drop). Using the performance factor (PF) to compare tubes for the range of conditions considered, the PF of the EHT-HB tube is greater than one, the PF of the EHT-HB/HY tube is slightly greater than one, and the PF of the EHT-HX tube is less than one. In general, as the mass flow rate increases, PF initially decreases and then increases. Previously reported smooth tube performance models that have been modified (for use with the EHT-HB/D tube) can predict the performance for 100% of the data points to within ±20%. Furthermore, it was determined that the thermal conductivity of the tube (when comparing stainless steel and copper) will have some effect on the tube-side thermal hydraulic performance. For smooth tubes, the heat transfer coefficients (HTC) of copper and stainless steel tubes are similar (with copper tube values being slightly higher). For enhanced tubes, performance trends are different; the HTC of the copper tube is larger than the SS tube.
Keywords: condensation heat transfer; enhanced tube; heat transfer coefficient; pressure drop.