摘要

One-dimensional numerical modelling of the fluid-flow behaviour inside short-tube orifices (expansion devices) has been carried out. Governing equations (continuity, momentum, energy, and entropy) for describing the fluid flow have been solved by using a fully implicit step-by-step method. A numerical treatment has been codified for considering thermodynamic and flow transitions (subcooled liquid region, metastable liquid region, metastable two-phase region and equilibrium two-phase region). Sudden contraction and enlargement at inlet and outlet sections were also considered. Fluid-flow variables (e.g., enthalpies, temperatures, pressures, mass fractions, and heat fluxes) and thermophysical and transport properties of fluid were numerically evaluated at each grid point in a discretized domain. The physical model used for solving the fluid-flow problem enabled an analysis of geometry, fluid type, critical and non-critical flow conditions, metastable regions, and transient effects to be performed. A comparison and validation analyses of the simulation results were carried out by using a wide range of mass flow rate experimental data (N-o = 634), which have been reported in the literature for the refrigerant 134a. Using a comprehensive statistical analysis, based on weighted linear regressions with an outlier detection/rejection algorithm at 95% of confidence level, the prediction performance of the numerical model was evaluated. Linear relationships between mass flow rate (predicted) and experimental mass flow rate data were statistically demonstrated. A global statistical evaluation of deviation errors between mass flow rate experimental data and predicted simulation results was also calculated. Average deviation error of +/- 8.9% was consistently computed between numerical model and experimental data, which demonstrates the good capability of the model developed for predicting the fluid-flow processes.

  • 出版日期2014-1-10