Key
2507
Conference Year
2012
Keywords
model, oil, flow development, fluid dynamics, fluid properties
Abstract
A model has been created to describe the development of flow leaving a compressor as it transitions from mist to annular flow. Flow parameters such as the drop size, drop speed, drop concentration, film thickness, and film velocity change as a function of length. Parameters such as refrigerant flow rates, oil in circulation ratios, and fluid properties are accounted for in these models. While some flow development work is found in the open literature for air-water or steam-water flows, little work is available for air-conditioning applications. Due to the drastically different properties of refrigerant-oil mixtures from air-water mixtures, the existing models must be modified substantially for use in air-conditioning models. The existing models were modified using physical principles to incorporate the differences in fluid properties. The model closely approximates empirical results presented an accompanying paper.