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Numerical Simulation of Solution Droplets and Falling Films in Horizontal Tube Absorbers

Phan Thanh-Tong (Graduate School, Department of Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineering, Pukyong National University)
Lee Ho-Saeng (Department of Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineering, Pukyong National University)
Yoon Jung-In (School of Mechanical Engineering, Pukyong National University)
Kim Eun-Pil (School of Mechanical Engineering, Pukyong National University)

Publication Information

Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology / v.30, no.5, 2006 , pp. 597-607 More about this Journal

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical simulation of the behavior of the LiBr solution droplets and falling films in horizontal tube banks of absorber. The model developed here accounts for the details of the droplets formation and impact process for absorption on horizontal tubes including the heat transfer from solution film to the tube wall. Especially. the characteristic of unsteady behavior of solution flow has been investigated. Flow visualization studies shown that the solution droplets and falling films have some of the complex characteristics. It is found that. with the numerical conditions similar to the operating condition of an actual absorption chiller/heater, the outlet solution temperature and heat flux from solution film to the tube wall have a stable periodic behavior with time. The solution droplets and falling films in horizontal tube banks of absorber is a periodic unsteady flow. The results from this model are compared with previous experimental observation taken with a high-speed digital video camera and shown good agreement.

Keywords

Absorption chiller/heater; Tube absorber; Droplet; Falling film; Heat transfer; Visualization;

Citations & Related Records

Reference

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