A Comprehensive Review Regarding Condensation of Low-GWP Refrigerants for Some Major Alternatives of R-134a

Abstract

In this review, the condensation HTCs (heat transfer coefficients) and pressure drop characteristics of some major low-global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerants alternative to R-134a such as R-1234ze(E), R-1234ze(Z), R-1234yf, R-513A, and R-450A are reviewed. The thermofluids’ characteristics inside/outside a tube, minichannel, microfin tube, and plate heat exchanger are examined. In addition, several other refrigerants attributed to low GWP are also included in the present review. The experimental/numerical/simulation results’ analysis reveals that condensation HTCs and pressure drop characteristics depend on several parameters such as thermodynamics and transport properties of the working fluid, mass flux of the refrigerants, heat flux, saturation temperature, vapor quality, flow patterns, flow conditions, orientation of the condensing geometry, and condensation geometry (shape, size, and smooth/enhanced).