Using froude and weber numbers to represent the changes in the flow pattern from stratified to stratified-wavy or plug for wire-on-tube condenser

According to manufacturing data, a theoretical study of condensation inside a heat exchanger with wires on tubes. examined flow patterns with variable refrigerant mass flow rates. Wire-on-tube condensers are adopted with tubes, which have multiple diameters (3.25, 4.83 and 6.29 mm). In addition to the use of two refrigerants (R-134a, R-600a) working at condensing temperatures of (54.4, 45, and 35 °C). The Equal Equation Solver software (EES) was used to obtain the results for the mass velocity range from 8 to 167 kg s −1 m −2 . Using the non-dimensionless numbers, the model determines the refrigerant flow pattern. Weber number (We) and Froude number (Fr) were used for mass velocity in a range below 100 kg s −1 m −2 , which is recommended flow inside the wire-on-tube condenser. The initial transition of the two-phase flow pattern from stratified to stratified-wavy occurred at beginning of condensation for the quality range (0.78-0.42) was Fr (2.7-2.0) and We (6.1-4.0) for R-134a, while the quality range (0.85-0.39) was Fr (5.0-2.4) and We (7.0-4) for R-600a. Second, as the quality range approached, the stratified-wavy flow was replaced by a plug at quality (0.23-0.06) were Fr (1.5-0.4) and We (3.8-2.1) for R-134a and for R-600a the quality range (0.22-0.05) were Fr (1.7-0.55) and We (3.7-2.2). • Flow patterns with variable refrigerant mass flow rates were studied theoretically. • Refrigerants R-134a and R-600a are accredited for condensing temperatures 54.4 °C, 45 °C, and 35 °C. • A nondimensional number, the Froude number (Fr) and Weber number (We), determines the type of refrigerant flow pattern. • As The two-phase flow pattern changed from stratified to stratified-wavy, Fr (2–4) and We (4–7). • Stratified-wavy flow changed to plug at Fr (0.4–2) and We (2–4).