Analysis of microchannel heat exchanger based on channel geometry

Abstract

The use of air conditioning in heating ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) industry has risen steadily over the last few decades. The goal of the system is to provide a comfortable indoor environment by the process of removal or addition of heat. There are various systems and components which have been in constant use over the years and have evolved with the needs of the user and the environment too. In this research paper attempt have been made to study microchannel heat exchangers in condenser section of package units. The idea is to see how an increase in cross-sectional area through the microchannel increases the area of heat transfer. The effect of grooved cross-section which results in increase of rate of cooling for a fluid flowing through the channel have been studied. R-32 (Freon Refrigerant) is considered as refrigerant along with water for the study using CFD analysis. Two designs were considered for the study considering circular cross section and the grooved cross section considering the channel geometry. From the results of CFD analysis, it can be stated that grooved cross section has performed better in terms of heat transfer and temperature drop as compared to circular cross section.