Experimental study of Isobutane (R600a) evaporation in microfinned and smooth tubes

Abstract

Heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop of Isobutane (R600a) in an internally enhanced tube has been experimentally measured and compared to a smooth tube with the same outer diameter of 5 mm. The effects of mass flux and heat flux on heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop were studied with both of the tubes. The increase of heat transfer coefficient in internally enhanced tubes offers the possibility of increasing the capacity of systems using R600a as working fluid. The experimental data were also compared with available data in open literature for prediction of heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop. Mass flux has a reduced effect on the heat transfer coefficient with the microfinned tube and the enhancement of this tube compared to the smooth tube is more beneficial for low mass fluxes.