Experimental study of condensation heat transfer of R-134a flow in corrugated tubes with different inclinations

This experimental study is performed to investigate condensation heat transfer coefficient of R-134a flow inside corrugated tube with different inclinations. Different inclinations of test condenser ranging from − 90° to + 90° and various flow mass velocities in the range of 87 to 253 [kg/m2s] are considered in this study. Data analysis showed that change in the tube inclination had a significant effect on condensation heat transfer behavior. At low mass velocities, and low vapor qualities, the highest condensation heat transfer coefficient was obtained for α = + 30° which was 1.41 times greater than the least one obtained for α = − 90°. The results also showed that at all mass velocities, the highest average heat transfer coefficients were achieved for α = + 30°. Based on the experimental results, a new empirical correlation is proposed to predict the condensation heat transfer coefficient of R134a flow in corrugated tubes with different inclinations.