Local two-phase flow heat transfer in plate heat exchangers

Experimental results on quasi-local heat transfer coefficients for evaporation and condensation in PHEs related to vapor quality, mass flow rate and heat flux are presented in this paper. The data is obtained from a refrigeration cycle involving a PHE evaporator and a PHE condenser with a secondary fluid loop. The considered refrigerants are ammonia and R-134a. Evaporator and condenser are equipped with multiple thermocouples along the plates, which allow for the deduction of local heat flux and heat transfer coefficients on seven subsections of the plates. The data resolves for the first time the complete evaporation and condensation process along a plate channel and thus may contribute to the understanding of flow distribution and heat transfer mechanisms. The results show an increase of heat transfer coefficients with the vapor quality and the effects of mass flux and heat flux. The results conclude that parallel flow arrangement is advantageous for evaporation while counter flow enhances condensation heat transfer. Plates with low pitch angle chevron corrugations increase the evaporation. Comparisons with the limited available data from literature and various correlations indicate the need for further theoretical development. The data may be suitable for developing correlations of the thermo-hydraulic performance of plate evaporators and condensers as a function of flow, heat flux and plate parameters, which are not established in literature.