Condensation heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of low GWP refrigerants in plate heat exchanger

Due to the environmental problems such as global warming and the destruction of the ozone layer, the conventional refrigerants such as CFCs(Choloro Fluoro Carbon), HCFCs(Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbon), and HFCs(Hydro Fluoro Carbon) are supposed to be phased out soon. Therefore, studies on low GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants have been extensively paid attention. In this study, experimental studies are conducted to investigate the characteristics of condensation heat transfer and frictional pressure drop for R-1233zd(E), which is a kind of HCFO (Hydro Chloro Fluoro Olefin) with a GWP value lower than 7. It is found that the average condensation heat transfer coefficient of R-1233zd(E) varies from 0.75 to 1.82 kW/m²K with mean vapor quality range of 0.21 to 0.82. Also the frictional pressure drop ranges 4.66 to 13.54 kPa with same mean vapor quality range. During the partial condensation process, the condensation heat transfer coefficients increase as the heat fluxes increase. However, no significant change in frictional pressure drop is observed while the heat fluxes change.