Experimental heat exchanger test facility for evaporation and condensation of hydrocarbons

Abstract

Utilisation of natural working fluids based on hydrocarbons can reduce greenhouse gas emissions considerably. However, components and systems need to be developed further to fully exploit their thermophysical properties. A new heat exchanger test rig is under construction at SINTEF Energy Research's thermal laboratories in Trondheim. The rig is designed to test novel heat exchanger concepts and designs for hydrocarbons and mixtures of these. Heating, cooling, evaporation, and condensation experiments can be performed at temperatures ranging from 0 – 150 ˚C and pressures up to 70 bar(g), for heat exchangers with thermal capacities up to around 20 kW. This paper describes the design, test capabilities and accuracy of the experimental setup. Keywords: Heat transfer, pressure drop, experimental, hydrocarbons, mixtures, heat exchanger prototypes, evaporation, condensation, temperature glide