BFRL: HVAC&R - Publications

A Mass Flow Rate Correlation for Refrigerants and Refrigerant Mixtures Flowing Through Short Tubes

A Mass Flow Rate Correlation for Refrigerants and Refrigerant Mixtures Flowing Through Short Tubes (715 KB)

Payne, W. V. and O'Neal, D. L.

HVAC&R Research Journal - January 01, 2004
Keywords:
Mass flow correlation , short tube , restrictors , refrigerant mixtures , two-phase
Abstract:
A correlation was developed for mass flowrate of R12, R134a, R502, R22, R407C, and R410A through short tubes. Sort tube lengths ranged from 9.5 mm to 25.4 mm, and sharp edged diameters ranged from 1.09 mm to 1.94 mm. The correlation covered both single-phase and two-phase entrance conditions under approximately choked flow. The correlation consisted of non-dimensional parameters that are a function of upstream conditions, down stream conditions, short tube geometry, and critical point pressure/temperature. The correlated data were drawn from previous work and work performed during this investigation. The general form of the correlation was a function for single-phase flow multiplied by a function incorporating parameters for two-phase flow. Over 1200 data points were used to produce the correlation.

Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899

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Last updated: 4/21/2005