Robust Design of Fin and tube Heat Exchanger’s Refrigerant Circuitry Subject to Different Air Maldistributions

Abstract:

Air maldistribution has significant impact on the fin and tube heat exchanger performance. In heat pump applications, the influence of four typical air maldistributions on both evaporator and condenser performance was numerically investigated with the simulation software EVAP COND. For comparison, two refrigerants R22 and R410A, three different refrigerant circuitry designs, and four levels of air maldistributions were taken into account. The results show that air maldistribution has more significant impact on the evaporator performance than the condenser. The heavier the air maldistribution, the worse the heat exchanger performance. Heat exchanger performance can be much improved with well designed refrigerant circuitry. The proposed interlaced refrigerant circuitry design has more robust performance subject to variable air maldistributions.