Numerical study of the condensation length of binary zeotropic mixtures

Heat exchangers are the main components in refrigeration and liquefaction systems, particularly in the liquefaction of natural gas, where the gas being condensed is a multicomponent mixture. The study of the two-phase condensation region is important for the design of heat exchangers. This paper studies heat and mass transfer characteristics of zeotropic mixtures condensation by four different models, including equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions. The effects of heat and mass transfer resistances on the condensation process are analyzed, and the required pipe lengths are compared. It is found that the mass transfer resistance in the vapor phase has a significant influence on the condensation length, and that it overweighs heat transfer resistance in the vapor phase in the present case study. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.