Visual experimental research on the effect of nozzle orifice structure on R124–DMAC absorption process in a vertical bubble tube

• The visual bubble absorption experiment in a vertical tube for R124–DMAC was done.
• The effect of the structure of nozzle on bubble absorption process was studied.
• Flow patterns and distribution regularities of absorption process were observed.

A visual experimental platform for R124–DMAC bubble absorption in a vertical tube absorber was designed and built for this research. The bubble behaviors, flow pattern characteristics and distributions are observed and the bubble absorption heights (BAHs) were measured when the two kinds of different structure nozzles (single-orifice or multi-orifice nozzle) were applied in the absorber. The results showed that the BAH will heighten with increases of vapor flow rate and nozzle flow area. Based on visual experimental observations, the BAH or bubble absorption performance was significantly affected by the velocity of vapor from the nozzle rather than by the nozzle structure. The proportion of slug flow in BAH or the BAH can be decreased by using a multi-orifice nozzle in the absorber under the same flow area condition. However, the flow resistance of the vapor through the nozzle will increase, which has a negative action on the performance of absorption refrigeration systems. So, using multi-orifice nozzle does not improve the absorption performance of the bubble absorber under the same nozzle flow resistance condition.