Condensation Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop of R-134a in the Oblong Shell and Plate Heat Exchanger

Condensation heat transfer experiments were conducted with a oblong shell and plate heat exchanger without oil in a refrigerant loop using R-134a. An experimental refrigerant loop has been developed to measure the condensation heat transfer coefficient $h_r$ and frictional pressure drop ${\Delta}p_f$ of R-134a in a vertical oblong shell and plate heat exchanger. Four vertical counter flow channels were formed in the oblong shell and plate heat exchanger by four plates having a corrugated sinusoid shape of a $45^{\circ}$ chevron angle. The effects of the refrigerant mass flux, average heat flux, refrigerant saturation temperature and vapor quality were explored in detail. Similar to the case of a plate heat exchanger, even at a very low Reynolds number, the flow in the oblong shell and plate heat exchanger remains turbulent. The results indicate that the condensation heat transfer coefficients and pressure drops increase with the vapor quality. A rise in the refrigerant mass flux causes an increase in the $h_r\;and\;{\Delta}p_f$. Also, a rise in the average heat flux causes an increase in the $h_r$. But the effect of the average heat flux does not show significant effect on the ${\Delta}p_f$. On the other hand, at a higher saturation temperature, both the $h_r\;and\;{\Delta}p_f$. found to be lower. Based on the present data, the empirical correlations are provided in terms of the Nusselt number and friction factor.