Numerical simulation of R134a evaporation in a cold water production system

Sobhi Frikha; Mounir Baccar

doi:10.1515/cppm-2024-0095

Article

Numerical simulation of R134a evaporation in a cold water production system

Sobhi Frikha and Mounir Baccar

Published/Copyright: January 21, 2025

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From the journal Chemical Product and Process Modeling Volume 20 Issue 1

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce a numerical model designed to analyze the evaporation process of R134a refrigerant within a cold water production system. Using the ANSYS Fluent CFD software, our simulation solves the Navier–Stokes equation, thus offering insights into the system’s flow dynamics. Our investigation underscores the efficacy of CFD as a reliable tool for modeling and forecasting flow behaviors within complex systems. Specifically, we delved into the impact of varying the empirical coefficient in the Lee model. Our results indicate that augmenting the coefficient value amplifies the R134a flow rate at the evaporator outlet. Notably, a coefficient value of 0.25 closely matches the experimental flow rate. Furthermore, we analyzed the ascending velocity of R134a vapor, achieving a robust agreement between our numerical simulations and experimental observations. This study underscores the potential of numerical modeling in enhancing our understanding and prediction of refrigerant evaporation dynamics within cooling systems.

Keywords: evaporation; CFD; FLUENT; R134a; cold water production

Corresponding author: Sobhi Frikha, Advanced Fluid Dynamics, Energetics and Environment, (AFD2E) National Engineering School of Sfax, University of Sfax, B.P. 1173, Km 3.5 Soukra, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia, E-mail: frikha_sobhi@yahoo.fr

Research ethics: Not applicable.
Author contributions: The author has accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
Conflict of interest: The author states no conflict of interest.
Research funding: None declared.
Data availability: Not applicable.

Abbreviation

CFD: Computational Fluid Dynamics
T: Temperature (K)
ΔT: Temperature Difference (K)
p: Pressure (Pa)
ṁ: Mass Flow Rate (kg/s)
V: Velocity (m/s)
α: Volume Fraction
ρ: Density (kg/m³)
μ: Dynamic Viscosity (Pa.s)
h: Enthalpy (J/kg)
g: Gravitational Acceleration (m/s²)
t: Time (s)
C _p: Heat Capacity (J/kg.K)
E: Energy (J)
F: Force (N)
V _b: Bubble velocity (m/s)
Ø: Diameter (mm)
Coeff:: Empirical Coefficient in the Lee Model
K: Turbulent kinetic energy (m²/s²)
ε: dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy (m²/s³)
R134a:: 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (Refrigerant)

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Received: 2024-10-10

Accepted: 2024-12-20

Published Online: 2025-01-21

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/cppm-2024-0095

Keywords for this article

evaporation; CFD; FLUENT; R134a; cold water production