Experimental investigation of Al-Cu composed tube-fin heat exchangers for air conditioner

Al-Cu composed (ACC) tube-fin heat exchangers made through three different tube expanders (6.38, 6.40 and 6.43 mm) are investigated in air conditioner systems to evaluate their cycle performances experimentally. Aluminum and copper heat exchangers of the same kind are also adopted to make comparisons. The results show that in the aspect of performance price ratio, the ACC heat exchanger are qualified with a copper saving ratio of 71.86% and cost saving of 63% compared with the conventional copper heat exchanger. Air conditioning system adopting the ACC heat exchanger would supply 5.5% and 6.5% higher cooling and heating capacity, 5.6% and 1% higher coefficient of performance (COP) in cooling and heating mode than that of aluminum heat exchanger, meanwhile, it has negligible decline of 0.9% and 0.1% in cooling and heating capacity, 4.1% and 1.8% in COP of cooling and heating mode compared with that of copper heat exchanger. The system adopting ACC heat exchangers in this paper is proved can commendably save the copper and reduce the material cost of the heat exchangers, and meanwhile guarantee the cycle performance.