Numerical simulation of R134a evaporation in a cold water production system
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Sobhi Frikha
and
Mounir Baccar
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.
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Research ethics: Not applicable.
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Author contributions: The author has accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
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Conflict of interest: The author states no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: None declared.
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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:
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1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (Refrigerant)
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© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Research Articles
- Cogeneration system’s energy performance improvement by using P-graph and advanced process control
- Numerical simulation of R134a evaporation in a cold water production system
- Implementing a radial basis function model to anticipate the outcomes of the gasification
- Sensitivity analysis and optimization of the whole process of continuous catalytic reforming for Persian gulf star oil company using an optimized data-driven model with tuned parameters
- Evaluating the therapeutic potential of 4-hydroxyflavanes diastereomers derivatives against (MetAP2) for anti-cancer therapy: a molecular docking study
- Enhanced cryogenic distillation column identification for methane separation: a hybrid artificial neural network approach
- Natural Gas and hydrogen blending: a perspective on numerical modeling and CFD analysis for transient and steady-state scenarios
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Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Research Articles
- Cogeneration system’s energy performance improvement by using P-graph and advanced process control
- Numerical simulation of R134a evaporation in a cold water production system
- Implementing a radial basis function model to anticipate the outcomes of the gasification
- Sensitivity analysis and optimization of the whole process of continuous catalytic reforming for Persian gulf star oil company using an optimized data-driven model with tuned parameters
- Evaluating the therapeutic potential of 4-hydroxyflavanes diastereomers derivatives against (MetAP2) for anti-cancer therapy: a molecular docking study
- Enhanced cryogenic distillation column identification for methane separation: a hybrid artificial neural network approach
- Natural Gas and hydrogen blending: a perspective on numerical modeling and CFD analysis for transient and steady-state scenarios
- Simulation and optimization of Venturi type bubble generator to improve cavitation
