IMST Art

Área Térmica
Instituto Ingeniería Energética

Universidad Politécnica Valencia
Camino Vera S/N
46022 Valencia (Spain)
Address any comment or question concerning this document to:
IMST - ART
Attn. IMST - ART crew – Support Group
Instituto de Ingeniería Energética
Building 8E – Access F – 5th Floor
Universidad Politecnica de Valencia
Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Phone: (+34) 963879120
Telefax: (+34) 963879126
E-Mail: art@iie.upv.es
WWW: http://www.imst-art.com
Revision Date Description

V1.00 March 2015 Acompanying IMST-ART V 3.70
Copyright © 2015, IMST-ART UPVal
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a
retrieval system, or translated into any language, or computer language, in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual, or otherwise, without prior written consent
of IMST-ART, UPVal.
This document describes how to use IMST-ART software on your computer. It does not attempt to
discuss all of concepts of A/C and Refrigeration equipment simulation that are required to obtain correct
results. It is your responsibility to determine if you have sufficient knowledge and understanding to
apply this software appropriately.
This software and document are distributed solely on an "as is" basis. The entire risk as to their quality
and performance is with you. Should either the software or this document prove defective, you (and
not UPVal or its distributors) assume the entire cost of all necessary servicing, repair, or correction.
UPVal and its distributors will not be liable for direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
resulting from any defect in the software or this document, even if they have been advised of the
possibility of such damage.
UPVal is Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain

IMST Group is a R&D group of IIE
IIE is the Instituto de Ingeniería Energética of UPVal
MS WINDOWS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

User’s Guide IMST-ART v3.70
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 7

1.1. Scope ............................................................................................... 7
1.2. User Qualifications ......................................................................... 7
2. THEORETICAL BASIS ............................................................................. 8

2.1. Refrigerant Properties .................................................................... 8
2.2. Secondary Fluid Properties ........................................................... 8
2.3. Compressor .................................................................................... 8
2.4. Heat Exchangers .......................................................................... 10
2.5. Basic Iterative Strategy to Solve Heat Exchangers: Sewtle ..... 11
2.5.1. Boundary Conditions ............................................................... 12
2.5.2. Solution Method ...................................................................... 12
2.5.3. Cell Discretization .................................................................... 13
2.5.4. Numerical Scheme .................................................................. 16
2.5.5. Solution of the system equations............................................. 21
2.6. PHE Modelling .............................................................................. 24
2.6.1. Governing equations ............................................................... 24
2.6.2. Global solution strategy ........................................................... 26
2.6.3. Discretization of the 2-phase flow governing equations .......... 26
2.6.4. Wall temperature calculation ................................................... 28
2.6.5. Heat transfer coefficient and friction factor correlations ........... 28
2.6.6. Cells in which the saturation line is crossed by ....................... 29
2.7. Tube and Fin Coil ......................................................................... 31
2.7.1. Refrigerant side ....................................................................... 31
2.7.2. Air side .................................................................................... 31
2.7.3. Global solution strategy ........................................................... 33
2.8. Catalogue Heat Exchanger .......................................................... 35
2.8.1. Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger.............................................. 35
2.8.2. Double Tube/Shell and Tube HEs. Simplified Model ............... 39
2.9. Expansion Device ......................................................................... 42
2.10. Piping ......................................................................................... 43
2.11. Accessories ............................................................................... 43
2.12. Global System of Equations .................................................... 44
2.13. References................................................................................. 45
3. INSTALLATION....................................................................................... 47
4. WORKING SPACE .................................................................................. 49

4.1. Menu Bar ....................................................................................... 50
4.2. Toolbar .......................................................................................... 54
5. STANDALONE HEAT EXCHANGER ..................................................... 56

5.1. Parameters .................................................................................... 60
5.2. Define Heat Exchanger ................................................................ 65
3
5.2.1. Coil .......................................................................................... 65

5.2.2. Plates ...................................................................................... 65
5.2.3. Tubes and Wire ....................................................................... 65
5.2.4. Microchannel ........................................................................... 66
5.2.4.1. Define Correlations........................................................... 68
6. WORKING CYCLE .................................................................................. 69

6.1. Parameters .................................................................................... 71
6.2. Heat Exchanger Definition ........................................................... 75
6.2.1. Fan/Pump definition ................................................................ 77
6.2.2. Modify Heat Exchanger ........................................................... 80
6.2.3. Constant Temperature Heat Exchanger .................................. 81
6.2.4. Total Area Heat Exchanger ..................................................... 82
6.2.5. Coil Heat Exchanger ............................................................... 84
6.2.5.1. Coil Pressure Losses ....................................................... 87
6.2.5.2. Coil circuitry ...................................................................... 88
6.2.6. Plates Heat Exchanger ............................................................ 98
6.2.6.1. Plates Pressure Losses.................................................. 100
6.2.7. Catalogue Heat Exchanger ................................................... 102
6.2.8. Tubes & Wire Heat Exchanger .............................................. 106
6.2.8.1. Coil Pressure Losses ..................................................... 109
6.2.9. Define Correlations ................................................................ 110
6.2.10. Correlations description ....................................................... 113
6.2.10.1. Correlations for friction factor coefficients. ................... 113
6.2.10.2. Condensing heat transfer ............................................. 119
6.2.10.3. Boiling heat transfer. .................................................... 121
6.2.10.4. Single-phase flow heat transfer .................................... 127
6.3. Compressor ................................................................................ 132
6.3.1. Constant Efficiencies Definition ............................................. 134
6.3.2. Default Efficiencies Definition ................................................ 137
6.3.3. Single Point Adjustment ........................................................ 138
6.3.4. Detailed Efficiencies .............................................................. 141
6.3.5. Catalogue Data ..................................................................... 144
6.4. Accessories ................................................................................ 146
6.4.1. Pipes Definition ..................................................................... 146
6.4.1.1. Simplified Calculation ..................................................... 146
6.4.1.2. Detailed Calculation ....................................................... 147
6.4.1.3. Line Pressure Drop ........................................................ 149
6.4.1.4. Pipe Material .................................................................. 150
6.4.1.5. Insulation ........................................................................ 151
6.4.2. Suction Line Heat Exchanger ................................................ 152
6.4.2.1. Simplified Calculation ..................................................... 153
6.4.2.2. Given UA ........................................................................ 153
6.4.2.3. Detailed Calculation ....................................................... 153
6.4.3. The 4-Ways Valve ................................................................. 154
6.5. Expansion device ....................................................................... 156
6.5.1. Capillary Tube ....................................................................... 157
6.5.2. Short Tube............................................................................. 161
6.6. Condenser Outlet ....................................................................... 165
4
6.6.1. Condenser outlet for CO2 cycles ........................................... 167

6.7. Running a Simulation ................................................................. 168
7. RESULTS .............................................................................................. 169

7.1. Plot Graph ................................................................................... 186
7.2. Detailed Output ........................................................................... 187
7.2.1. Cycle Window........................................................................ 187
7.2.2. Plates Detailed Output .......................................................... 189
7.2.3. Coil Detailed Output .............................................................. 190
8. REFRIGERANT PROPERTIES ............................................................. 191
9. GRAPHICS ............................................................................................ 192

9.1. Data Selection ............................................................................. 192
9.2. Free Selection ............................................................................. 193
9.3. Zoom ............................................................................................ 194
10. TEMPLATES ......................................................................................... 195

10.1. Theoretical cycle ..................................................................... 195
10.2. Domestic A/C units ................................................................. 200
10.3. Roof Top .................................................................................. 204
10.4. Air to Water Air Conditioning................................................. 209
10.5. Chiller Fan/Pump application................................................. 212
10.6. Air to Water Heat Pump .......................................................... 218
10.7. Groundwater Heat Pump ........................................................ 221
10.8. Ground coupled Water to Water Chiller ................................ 224
10.9. Domestic refrigerator ............................................................. 227
10.9.1. Refrigerated cabinet ............................................................ 227
10.9.2. Freezer ................................................................................ 230
10.10. Refrigeration system (Air to air system) ........................... 234
10.11. Sec. Loop Refrigeration system (Air to brine system) ..... 237
10.12. Display cabinet .................................................................... 240
10.13. Ice Rink System ................................................................... 243
10.14. Low temperature Freezer application ................................ 247
10.15. Dehumidifying Coil - Dryer ................................................. 251
5
6
1. Introduction
This document describes the basic concepts and methods for using IMST-ART
software Version 3.50 to perform A/C and Refrigeration Equipment simulation.
IMST-ART is a software package developed at the Universidad Politécnica de

Valencia for the analysis and optimization of refrigeration equipment based on
the vapor compression principle. IMST-ART is based on a long experience on the
detailed modeling of refrigeration components and is fully targeted to assist the
design of components and systems, especially envisaged from the beginning of
its development as a design tool for industrial use. The main feature of the
program is the accurate evaluation of the refrigeration unit performance including
a high accurate modeling of every single component at the same time. In that
way, any modification in one or several components can be always assessed
from the perspective of the global performance of the unit.
1.1. Scope
The chapters of this manual describe how to run the IMST-ART software and give
some insight about the main characteristics of the global model and of the
submodels of the main components considered in IMST-ART, as well as about
the involved numerical strategies, so that the user can understand the capabilities
and limitations of the code in assisting the design of A/C and Refrigeration
equipment. However, the manual does not attempt to discuss all concepts of A/C
and Refrigeration Equipment simulation that are required to obtain successful
solutions. It is the user’s responsibility to determine if he/she has sufficient
knowledge and understanding of A/C and Refrigeration Equipment simulation to
apply this software appropriately.
1.2. User Qualifications

Users of this manual:
 Must be qualified in basic Microsoft Windows.
 Must be qualified in Heat Transfer fundamentals.
 Must be qualified in Refrigeration equipment analysis and design.
 Must be qualified in basic A/C and Refrigeration Equipment modelling and

simulation.
7
2. Theoretical Basis
IMST-ART is able to take into account in the simulation most of the components
of vapor compression based refrigeration systems: compressor, heat
exchangers, piping and accessories. For the main components different
submodels with different levels of accuracy are included in order to allow the user
to concentrate in the optimization of the desired component. All those options are
conveniently described in the corresponding chapters of this document.
The global model of the system is divided in submodels: compressor, heat

exchangers, expansion valve, accessories, and piping.
Each submodel involves a series of non-linear equations and in the case of the
heat exchangers, maybe also the solution of a system of ODEs, which is
discretized with a finite volume technique. The global set of equations forms a
complex system of non-linear equations AEs or DAEs which is solved through a
Newton-like solver.
The independent variables chosen for the global set of equations are pressure
and enthalpy in each inlet and outlet point. This choice assures a smooth variation
of the variables, not given by other choices like temperature or quality.
The main characteristics of the employed models appeared in papers [1] to [6]
and are described in the following sections.
2.1. Refrigerant Properties

Calculation of the refrigerant thermodynamic and transport properties is
performed by REFPROP subroutines from NIST [7]. The corresponding
properties are then conveniently stored in a data file. The required properties are
then calculated by convenient interpolation from the data file. See [6] for details
about the grid characteristics and the interpolation procedure.
2.2. Secondary Fluid Properties

Built-in tables allow the calculation of the properties of any usual secondary fluid,
i.e. water, air and common brines. The properties of brines at grid points have
been calculated following the procedures stated in [8].
2.3. Compressor
For the compressor, three equations are required to characterize its behavior:
one for the mass flow rate, one for the power input and one for the outlet enthalpy.
8
The mass flow rate can be calculated from the definition of volumetric efficiency
as:
m   i Vs  v
(1)
The second governing equation of a compressor involves compressor efficiency

and relates the compressor energy consumption with the isentropic work required
to compress the refrigerant between suction and discharge pressures:
m i is  i i 
E 
c (2)
Finally, it is necessary to take into account the heat exchanged between the
compressor and the environment in order to link the variation of the enthalpy of
the refrigerant through the compressor with the consumed energy, leading to the
following equation
i is  i i
io  ii  (1   ) (3)
c
The empirical parameters involved in those equations: volumetric efficiency,

compressor efficiency, and heat losses to the environment can be easily input.
IMST-ART accepts 4 different ways to define them: constant values, a polynomial
or data table as a function of the pressure ratio, default functions depending on
compressor type (built in correlations for compressors of different types have
been implemented into the program), the coefficients of the corresponding ARI
polynomials [9]. All this information can be conveniently stored in a data bank in
such a way that the user is able to reuse the supplied information again or
modifying it.
9
2.4. Heat Exchangers

HEs can be considered in IMST-ART at two basic different levels of detail
depending on the required accuracy on the HE results. The simplest way is to
treat them as a HE with total area and known Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient
(OHTC). Then, the program uses an -NTU characterization to model the heat
exchanger. This simple model allows closing the refrigeration cycle taking into
account the major effect of the HE on the operating cycle without the need of a
more detailed definition. The OHTC can be prescribed either as a constant or as
a function of the heat flux or the secondary fluid mass flow rate. This strategy is
employed whenever one wishes to include the HE in the estimation of the
performance of the refrigeration unit but the main interest of the optimization
study is placed on another component.
When the interest of the study is placed on the optimization of the heat exchanger
or a very accurate estimation of the unit performance is required, a detailed
definition and accurate modeling of the HE must be used. IMST-ART includes a
HE model based on the discretization of the HE in cells along the refrigerant and
secondary fluid paths, assuming one-dimensional flow. The model is able to take
into account both heat transfer and pressure drop, with local evaluation of the
heat transfer coefficient and friction factor, by built in correlations, as well as of
the fluid properties. This model is able to take into consideration most of the
geometrical and operation parameters of current evaporators and condensers.
The HE detailed model included in IMST-ART has been developed to be able to

be applied to any kind of HE and flow arrangement. The methodology of
calculation adopted is based on assuming as known the values of mass flow rate
and, inlet temperature and pressure, of both fluid flows.
10
2.5. Basic Iterative Strategy to Solve

Heat Exchangers: Sewtle
The calculation of HEs in IMST-ART is based on an original numerical technique
developed at UPVal [2]. This technique allows the calculation of any flow
arrangement and geometry, steady conditions, single-phase, two-phase flows,
and longitudinal conduction along the wall. Figure 1 shows the general situation
of a fluid surrounded in general by different walls.
Figure 1. Fluid path and surrounding wall cells
The governing equations for single phase flows and walls can be written in the
following way
ni
m i c pi dTi   q ji Pji dxi
j 1 (1)
dAji
Pji 
dxi (2)
q ji  U ji Tw j  Ti 
(3)
1
A ji
U ji 
Rw ji  1
ATjiTji h ji
tj
Rw ji  2
A ji k j
 k j t j Tw j    q ji  0
2
i 1 (4)
11
where any piece of wall j (wall cell j) separates two fluid cells i=1,2; and any piece
of fluid (fluid cell) i is in contact with ni wall cells j=1,ni ; qji is the heat flux
transferred from the wall cell j to the fluid cell i; dxi is the spatial differential in the
forward direction of the i fluid in the i fluid cell; Aji is the projected area (on the
wall plane) of the wall cell j in contact with the i fluid cell; Pji is the perimeter of
the wall cell j wetted by fluid i, ‘corresponding to the projected area’, in the i
direction; ATji and Tji are the total heat transfer area from the wall cell j to fluid i
and its corresponding efficiency; tj and kj are the thickness of the j wall cell and
its thermal conductivity (these variables could be defined with different values for
both x and y directions, so that the actual thermal conductance of the wall
ensemble (plate and fins) can be properly represented in both directions); and
Rwji is the thermal resistance of half thickness of the wall for the heat transferred
to fluid i.
In addition to (1) to (4), one could write the momentum conservation equation,
which, together with the mass conservation equation, provides the system of
equations to calculate the evolution of pressure and velocity. For steady and
single-phase flows, mass flow rate is constant, and the energy equation is not
coupled with the other equations and can be solved independently. First, the
energy equation is solved and temperature is obtained. Then, the evolution of
velocity and pressure is calculated.
2.5.1. Boundary Conditions

Boundary conditions (BC) for this problem are imposed at the inlet face of the
streams, in which the fluid temperature and velocity distributions are known. Also,
if the heat transferred to the surroundings from the wall edges can be considered
negligible, one must impose the condition that the derivative of the wall
temperature at the end sides of the HE, perpendicular to the edge, is null.
Therefore, a Dirichlet type condition is imposed to the inlet fluid temperatures,
and a Neumann type condition to the wall temperatures all around the exterior
edge. Finally, the closing walls at the end sides of the heat exchanger are
normally well-insulated so that heat transferred to the surroundings can be
assumed negligible, and the wall assumed adiabatic.
2.5.2. Solution Method

The two main current tendencies can be applied to manipulate and discretize the
equation: the Finite Element Method (FEM) and the Finite Volume Method (FVM).
This paper deals with the application of the latter technique to the solution of the
problem. An extension of this methodology for the use with FEM can be found in
[10].
Concerning the type of mathematical problem which is to be solved, it consists of

a combination of a system of elliptic Partial Differential Equations (PDE) (4) for
the wall temperatures, with the particularity that they include a non linear source
12
term (heat fluxes to the fluids), with Neumann type BC, together with a system of
Ordinary Differential Equations (ODE)(1) for the fluid temperatures, with Dirichlet
type BC. The resulting system of equations being coupled through the main
variables (temperatures), and, perhaps, including strong non linearities specially
introduced by the heat transfer coefficients (e.g. the sharp discontinuity of the
heat transfer coefficient for an air flow depending on the existence or non-
existence of dehumidification, a fact which is dependent on the wall temperature
for given air conditions).
Most of the solution methods classically employed are based on the elimination
of the wall temperature from the stated system of equations when longitudinal
conduction is negligible and then, equation (3) becomes a linear equation relating
wall temperature with neighbour fluid temperatures. However, in the general case
at hand, in which the properties and the heat transfer coefficients could be highly
dependent on temperature and pressure, equation (3) is not linear at all, and the
elimination of the wall temperature is not possible. Therefore, one of the
distinctive features of this solution method is to include the calculation of wall
temperatures in the numerical procedure to be developed. This has the additional
advantage that, in this case, fluid temperatures are only coupled with the global
wall temperature field through equation (3), but not with the temperature of the
other fluids, so that the problem becomes, in general, one of finding the solution
to the wall temperature field. Then, the solution for the fluids can be found from
the integration of equation (1). For this reason the system of equations is called
“Wall Temperature Linked Equations (WTLE)”.
2.5.3. Cell Discretization

For the purpose of numerical calculation, the heat exchanger must be discretized
in cells, which means that both fluid streams and separating walls must be
discretized in a number of cells. The only condition is that all the fluid flows, and
the wall, must be covered without any overlapping. In order to keep calculation
time low, the assumption that fluid flow is one dimensional along a cell will be
adopted. Therefore, the discretization of the fluid field must be done in such a
way that real flow is approached as accurately as possible, as a series of one
dimensional paths of 1D-cells. Fortunately, this is quite true for a large number of
HE. Fluid coming out from different fluid cells can be adequately mixed at
particular sections of the HE, if this is considered to happen in the real HE. This
consideration does not affect the basic procedure to be explained, so that, in the
following, when the fluid enters one of the 1D paths, it is considered to flow
without any mixing with the other paths.
No restriction on the cell size is necessary, given that any separating wall cell
between two fluid cells must be coincident with the shared side of the fluid cells.
Although the above stated conditions are not restrictive, in practice, the difficulties
in arranging the flows normally lead to, at the cell level, either cross flow or parallel
flow (co-current or countercurrent). This situation is represented in Figure 2. Parts
13
a)1 and b) show typical arrangements with plane walls. Internal walls can be
always considered as fins attached to the separating walls. The possible situation
depicted in Figure 2, parts c) and d) represent a parallel flow arrangement but, in
these cases, thermal exchange among three different fluids is considered. Then,
besides the main separating wall cells, additional wall cells must be considered if
conduction among the separating wall cells is considered as not negligible; these
wall cells are square base prisms in c) and triangular base in d). The
consideration of these prisms does not introduce any special difficulty to the
numerical method employed below for the wall temperature calculation, so in the
following, only situations a) and b) will be considered.
Figure 2. Sample of different fluid and wall situations: 1) Two fluids, a)

Crossflow, b) Parallel flow (co-current or countercurrent); 2) 3 different fluids A,
B and C, geometrical cases c) and d).
A first decision now must be made, i.e. how to define the control volumes for the
fluids and for the wall. As a general rule, differential equations, such as (1), in
which the main term contains a first order spatial derivative, require the use of the
variable at the entrance and at the outlet of the control volume. In this way, the
first derivative can be efficiently approximated by the corresponding first order
finite difference expression linking the well-defined values of the variable at both
ends. The integration then of the temperature difference appearing in (3) allows
for speculation, as shown later.
On the other hand, Equation (4), governing the wall temperature field, includes
second order partial spatial derivatives, so its integration normally requires a
centred control volume with a value of temperature defined at its centre. In that
way, the second order difference discretization can be efficiently defined.
1 Notice that in Fig. 2, part a), Aj1 = Aj2 = x1 x2, Pj1 = x2 and Pj2 = x1.
14
Several different options can now be adopted to fit both discretizations for fluids
and wall, for the involved elementary heat exchange cells. Figure 3 shows the
two possible options for countercurrent parallel flow. In a) the wall cell is
coincident with the piece of wall shared between two fluid cells, and therefore,
wall temperature is defined at the centre of the wall cell and at the middle of both
fluid paths. In b) the wall cell is staggered in regard to the fluid cells so that wall
temperature is known at the same location as fluid temperatures.
Figure 3. Wall discretization for parallel countercurrent flow: a) Centred, b)

Staggered.
On the other hand, Fig.4 shows several possible definitions for cross flow. Part
a) shows again the case in which the wall cell is coincident with the piece of wall
shared between two fluid cells, and therefore, wall temperature is defined at the
centre of the wall cell and at the middle of both fluid paths. Part b) shows a
definition of staggered mesh in such a way that wall temperature is known at the
same location as fluid temperatures. However, then, wall cells present overlap,
thus making the integration of (4) difficult. Furthermore, in the absence of
longitudinal conduction, it becomes clear that an excessive de-coupling between
directions x and y appears, which will probably lead to great numerical difficulties
in finding the solution. Finally, part c) shows a staggered mesh, without
overlapping.
Figure 4. Wall discretization for crossflow: a) Centred, b) Staggered with

overlapping, c) Staggered without overlapping.
15
It should be pointed out that this first step towards the discretization of the domain
is essential to the success of the numerical technique to be developed. The
staggered arrangements, shown in Fig. 3 part b) and Fig. 4 part b), present an
important disadvantage in comparison with the centred option, i.e. they do not
easily satisfy the Neumann boundary condition posed at the edge of the plates.
In contrast, the centred option is perfectly suited for that task. Additionally, the
advantage presented by the coincidence of the wall and fluid temperatures at the
same location is lost in the case described in Fig. 4 part c) requiring interpolation
between neighbouring nodes. On the other hand, integration of (4) over the wall
cell must be based on the fluid temperatures known at the wall cell edges. But it
is assumed that no mixing occurs inside the 1D flow cells. Therefore, a consistent
definition of the fluid over and under a wall cell is not trivial at all.
The staggered arrangements depicted in Fig. 3 part b), and Fig. 4 part c) are
normally used for FEM implementation leading to good results. FEM can exploit
the advantages of the discussed arrangement while overcoming some of the
mentioned difficulties. However, the staggered arrangement clearly is not suitable
for application of a FVM formulation.
Alternatively, with the centred option, the integration of equation (1) for the fluids
would mainly involve the wall temperature at the centre of the wall cell. Some
influence of the neighbour cells could be considered depending on the final
selected scheme but the main influence will be always that of the central point.
Moreover, the integration of (4) does not present any problem from the point of
view of the fluid temperatures since the fluid paths are consistently defined over
the wall cell. These features make the centred option much more adequate for
the numerical solution of the problem. Therefore, the centred wall cell, as
depicted in Fig.3 part a) and Fig. 4 part a) is used for the development of the
numerical technique.
2.5.4. Numerical Scheme

Following the concept of Wall Temperature Linked Equations (WTLE) introduced
earlier, it is possible to de-couple the calculation of the wall temperature field from
that of the temperature of the fluids.
The integration of equation (4) throughout the walls, by assuming that fluid
temperatures are known at the fluid nodes, is considered as one step of the
numerical procedure. The discretization of this equation does not offer any
special difficulty, except for the estimation of the integral of the heat transferred
to both fluids in contact with the considered piece of wall (equation (3)). This
integration must be consistent with the integration of the coincident terms of the
fluid energy equation (1). The discretization of the Laplacian operator in equation
(4) can be made by a classical finite difference (finite volume) approach. For the
case shown in Fig. 4 part a), the discretization of the first term of equation (4)
would lead to:
16
x y
a j Tw j   a Tw k
j
k
j    yU j1 (Tw  T1 )dx   xU j 2 (Tw  T2 )dy
0 0
k W , E , N , S (5)
k w y k y k x k x
a Wj  t j , a Ej  E t j , a Nj  N t j , a Sj  S t j , a j   a kj
with: xW x E y N y S k
Then, if the discretization of the integrals of the heat transferred to both fluids in
contact with the considered piece of wall (right-hand side of equation (5)) is based
on a linear function relating the values of the fluid and wall temperatures at the
neighbouring points, equation (5) leads to a linear equation for the wall
temperature at every cell node, involving, the temperatures of the fluids in contact
with both cell surfaces.
On the other hand, equation (1) is a first order differential equation to be

integrated along the direction of the flow path. Consequently, it can be discretized
in a number of different ways depending on the approach adopted for the wall
temperature distribution and the fluid temperature evolution, provided always that
the evaluation of the integrals appearing at the right-hand side of equation (1) are
consistent with the coincident terms in (5).
A first classification could be based upon how many wall temperatures are taken
into consideration in the discretized equation, i.e. 1 wall temperature (value at the
cell centre), or several: central point and neighbours (3 points in parallel flow and
5 points in cross flow).
A similar comment can be made about the number of fluid temperatures involved
in the integration of equation (1). Equation (1), integrated along a fluid path, can
be interpreted as an initial value problem for a given inlet temperature and a given
wall temperature distribution. Hence, only temperatures upstream should be
considered in the numerical scheme. Two main choices are then possible: 1) the
use of the temperature at the cell inlet as the inlet boundary, or, 2) the
extrapolation of upstream information, i.e. multipoint methods. The schemes
employed in IMST-ART lie on the first category.
Two different schemes are employed in IMST-ART. They are schematically

described in Figure 5.
Constant Wall Temperature (CWT) will assume that along a fluid cell the wall
temperature can be considered as uniform and equal to the value at the central
point of the wall cell. This approach should be equivalent to supposing a stepwise
profile for the temperature at the heat exchanger walls.
Linear Fluid Temperature Variation (LFTV) is based on temperature average and

the assumption that the fluid temperatures along the fluid paths have a piecewise
distribution (see Fig. 5 part b).
17
Figure 5. Temperature distribution for the different analysed schemes a)

CWT, b) LFTV, for the countercurrent flow case.
Higher Order Differential Scheme (HOD), as the one based on the Runge Kutta
method for integration of ODE, can also be used. However, those schemes
significantly increase the calculation time without providing a much higher
accuracy. For a comparison of results among the two above mentioned schemes
and higher order schemes read [2].
In the following sections, the development of the commented schemes is

presented for the general case of a fluid cell surrounded by ni separating walls.
We include the expressions of the outgoing temperature of the fluid (fluid cell) i in
contact with ni wall cells j=1,2,...,ni coming from the integration of equations (1)
to (3), the heat transferred from the wall cell j to the fluid cell i, equation (3) and
right-hand side of equation (5). Finally, the wall temperature at the centre of the
wall cell j, which comes from the discretization of equation (5) is also included.
Constant Wall Temperature (CWT)

We will analytically carry out the integration of equations (1) and (3), which can
be combined in the following way,
ni
dTi
  k ji (Tw j  Ti )
dxi j 1 (6)
with:
PjiU ji
k ji 
m i c pi
In this case (CWT), we assume that, along a fluid cell, the wall temperature is
uniform and equal to the value at the central point of the wall cell. Thus, we can
integrate the previous equation along a fluid cell in the following way:
18
Tiout xi
dTi
 ni
  dx i
Tiin
 k ji (Tw j  Ti )
j 1
0
and we obtain the outgoing temperature of the fluid (at fluid cell i):
ni
k ji Tw j
Ti out

j 1
1  exp  i xi   Ti in exp  i xi 
i (7)
where the value of i is given by : 2
ni
 i   k ji
j 1
We also know the distribution of the fluid temperature field along the fluid cell, so
we can evaluate the expression of the heat transferred from the wall cell j to the
fluid cell i.
xi
Q ji   U ji Pji (Tw j  Ti )dxi

0 (8)
where the dependence of Ti on the coordinate xi is given by equation (7). Then,
replacing xi by the value of xi, and through the integration of (8), we finally obtain
 out  1  exp  i xi  
 U ji Pji xi  1  exp 2  i xi   
Q ji  Ti 1    Ti in   exp  i xi   Tw j 
1  exp  i xi     i x i    i xi  
(9)
The last step is to derive the wall temperature at the centre of the wall cell j, from
equation (5). Using the expression (9) for the integrals in equation (5), we obtain
the value of Twj:
1
Tw j  2 U js
a j  x1 x 2 
s 1 1  exp  s x s  .
 2 U js  out  1  exp  s x s    1  exp 2  s x s   

  a j Tw j  x1 x 2 
k k
Ts 1    Tsin   exp  s x s  
k W , E , N , S s 1 1  exp   s x s     s x s    s x s  
(10)
Linear Fluid Temperature Variation (LFTV)

In this case we consider a linear fluid temperature variation. The first step involves
the evaluation of the outgoing temperature of the fluid (fluid cell) i via the
integration of equation (6).
Tiout xi ni ni
 dT i  k
0 j 1
ji (Tw j  Ti )dxi   k ji (Tw j  Ti )xi
j 1
Ttin
(11)
2 Notice that i xi is the number of transfer units NTUi of the fluid cell i with the
surrounding wall cells ni .
19
where stands for an averaged value of the quantity .
In our approach for LFTV, we can write
Ti in  Ti out
(Tw j  Ti )  Tw j  Ti  Tw j 
2
Then, the outgoing temperature of the fluid becomes
ni
1  0.5xi  i Ti in  xi  k ji Tw j
j 1
Ti out 
1  0.5xi  i  (12)
The second step involves the evaluation of the heat transferred from the wall cell
j to the fluid cell i, following equation (8). Using the same approximation as in
equation (11) we obtain
 T i in  T i out 
Q ji  U ji P ji  Tw j    x i
 2  (13)
Finally, using expression (13) for the integrals in equation (5), the wall
temperature at the centre of the wall cell j becomes
2
 Tsin  Tsout 
 a Tw   k
j
k
j U js Pjs 
2
x s

Twj 
k W , E , N , S s 1  
2
a j   U js Pjs x s
s 1 (14)
Basic differences between both schemes
Before continuing, it is interesting to formally compare the two developed
schemes in order to assess the main differences between them. Let us compare
the expressions obtained for the calculation of the outgoing fluid temperature for
the simplest case in which the fluid cell only exchanges heat with one wall cell. In
order to facilitate the comparison, let us also arrange them into non-dimensional
form by defining the non-dimensional temperature  as:
T  Tref
 
T in  Tref
where Tref is a reference temperature. Then, equations (7), and (12) can be
respectively transformed into the following expressions:
20
CWT
 out w
 1  exp NTU   exp NTU 
 in
 in
LFTV
 out NTU  w 1  NTU 2

 
 in 1  NTU  in 1  NTU
2 2
 out  in
providing the value of the relative fluid temperature variation as a
w  in
function of the relative wall temperature and the NTU size of the cell.
The obtained formulas clearly indicate that the outlet temperature is a linear
average the fluid temperature at the inlet section in and an averaged value of
the wall temperature. This averaged value is the value of the temperature at the
cell centre for both CWT and LFTV schemes w.
For the particular situation of constant wall temperature the CWT scheme
provides the exact solution. Additionally, the average coefficients of the CWT
scheme are always positive, meaning that the solution will always be bounded,
whereas in the LFTV scheme becomes negative at NTU=2.
The LFTV scheme turns out to be not bounded for high NTU. Therefore, a hybrid
scheme must be defined so that the coefficient of in never becomes negative.
This correction is employed in IMST-ART.
2.5.5. Solution of the system equations

The global system of ODE and PDE posed by equations (1) to (4) has been
transformed into a system of pseudo-linear equations: one equation for every wall
cell, in which the temperature of the cell and those of the neighbouring points
appear beside the fluid temperatures of the flows in contact with the wall, and one
equation for every fluid cell, in which the outlet temperature is related to the inlet
temperature and the temperatures of the wall cells surrounding it (e.g., equations
(10) and (7) for the CWT scheme).
Considering the boundary conditions for both walls and fluids, the global system
becomes closed, and the solution to the problem involves the solution of the
posed system of linear equations. The solution could be found by any standard
direct or iterative procedure. However, before deciding on the most adequate
solution strategy, one must bear in mind, first, that the system of equations is
really non-linear, since some of the coefficients are dependent on the solution,
i.e. temperature field, pressure, quality. Secondly, one must take into account
21
that the actual values of the coefficients are, for the same reason, unknown.
Therefore, it does not seem advantageous to find the exact solution to the
described system of equations, then recalculate the coefficients, and start again
until convergence has been reached. The correct strategy seems to combine the
iterative calculation of the solution to the system of equations with the continuous
evaluation of the coefficients, in such a way, that both calculations progress
together towards the solution to the non-linear problem.
The solution commented above consists of three steps.
One must make an initial estimate of the temperature of the walls. Of course, the
closer the estimate is to the solution the faster the convergence to the solution is.
However, this aspect is not critical, and for instance, an arithmetic average of the
inlet fluid temperatures can be employed with good results.
One must make the calculation of the fluid temperature evolution along the flow
paths, respectively, from equations (7) or (12). This is an explicit procedure so
that the calculation proceeds quite fast. The pressure evolution can also be
calculated through the integration of the momentum equation in the same
manner. In more complex cases, like condensation or evaporation, similar explicit
equations can be developed for the calculation of the main flow variables (see [8]
for details). The fluid properties, the heat transfer coefficient and the friction factor
at every cell are calculated for averaged values of the fluid and flow parameters.
For the first iteration, these calculations are performed at the cell inlet conditions,
which are always known from the calculation of the previous cell. For subsequent
iterations, the properties and coefficients are always estimated at the new
calculated inlet variables plus the value of the correction obtained in the previous
iteration for the variation of the variable, for instance, for the temperature
T out (it  1)  T in (it  1)

T (it )  T (it ) 
in
2
i.e. the variation of the significant variables is calculated at every cell and stored
to be used in the next iteration to evaluate the new averaged value at the cell.
This numerical strategy has proved to be very adequate, providing good accuracy
and fast computation.
Once all the temperatures of the fluids are known at every point, one must solve
the system of equations (5) to obtain the wall temperatures (equations (10) and
(14) for the analysed schemes). In the case that the longitudinal conduction is
significant, the equations involve 5 temperatures and any standard solver can be
used. Again, there is no advantage in obtaining the final solution of the system,
but it is preferable to performing only a single iteration of the employed method
to obtain a recalculated value of the wall temperature at every point. Notice, that
equation (5) contains the usual discretization term coming from the Laplacian
operator, which involves the conduction along the wall. Yet this term is not the
leading one in the equation, but rather a complementary small correction, in fact,
negligible in most of the cases. The leading term in equation (5) is the average of
the temperatures of both surrounding fluids (right-hand side of eq. (5)), coming
from the balance of the heat exchanged between the fluids. In fact, this is the part
22
of the equation, which will always be active. In general, it provides the condition
to evaluate the cell wall temperature in the way shown. In the absence of
longitudinal conduction, this equation becomes explicit. In the presence of
longitudinal conduction, this factor highly strengths the diagonal dominant
character of the system, thus making the iterative solution easier. Any standard
method could be applied to the general case; however, given the iterative
character of the global solution procedure, the simple Gauss – Seidel procedure
leads to excellent results. The only exception, is that it is better to start the global
iterative procedure without including the longitudinal conduction term in equations
(10) and (14), thus supposing its effect negligible. Then, after some iterations
(typically 10), to switch on the calculation of the longitudinal conduction term
effect. The global convergence is then reached in a few further iterations. This
strategy allows for a smooth and correct evaluation of the longitudinal conduction
effect.
Steps 2 to 3 are repeated until convergence is reached.
Notice that the described solution method only requires the sequential evaluation
of, first the temperature of the fluids and second, of the temperature of the walls,
but the numerical schemes employed for both calculation steps are explicit. Thus,
computing time per iteration is short. This explicitness and the inspiration from
Prof. Patankar’s book [11] has led to naming that methodology as Semi-Explicit
method for Wall Temperature Linked Equations, SEWTLE.
Fluid properties, and factors and coefficients, can be easily calculated every
iteration as described in step 2, or updated only when a significant change of the
variables occurs at the cell, leading to a faster computation.
23
2.6. PHE Modelling

A PHE is formed basically by a series of refrigerant – secondary fluid (water/
brine) channels which exchange heat throughout parallel separating walls.
2.6.1. Governing equations

The governing equations for a single phase 1D steady flow along a channel of a
PHE are:
G  u  Constant * ;
dp

d u 2 1 u 2 d zg 
f  
(1)
dz dz 2 Dh dz
d  i  u 
2
(2)
 Pj h j Twj  T 
2 2
AG   
dz j 1
*
where the fluid exchanges heat with the two surrounding plates. Those equations
are valid for the water or brine side and for the refrigerant side wherever it is under
single phase.
On the refrigerant side the flow can be either single phase or two-phase. At the
two-phase flow region of the heat exchanger, steady 2-phase flow similar to the
annular pattern in tubes is considered to happen along the channels in between
the plates. Therefore, the separated fluid model will be considered, for which the
governing equations are:
G  u  constant (3)
dp 2 f  G 1  x  2 2
d  x 1  x      1    gsin
2
 
2 2
   f  G2  
Dh  f dz   g  f 1    
g f
dz
(4)
)
   G 2 x 2   2 2 
 i  G 1  x    AG  zgsin 
AG  x ig   1  x  f 2  2 1   2 
z   2  g2 2  z
  f 
 
2
  Pj h j Twj  T  0
j 1
The continuity equation states the conservation of the mass flow rate and the
mass velocity all along a fluid path. Its value is known from the inlet conditions,
so that G will be considered as a known constant in the following.
* Constant cross section will be considered throughout the study.
24
At a fluid cell, the number of equations to be considered are two (energy and
momentum), while the unknown variables in the equations are eight: x, , l, v,
il, iv, p and T. The number of equations is clearly lower than the number of
unknowns and hence some further relationships among these variables must be
stated. First, the assumption of thermodynamic equilibrium is adopted; so that the
following set of state equations can be added to the system:
T  Tsat ( p)  v   g ( p)
iv  iv _ sat ( psat  p)  ig ( p) l   f ( p) (5)
il  il _ sat ( psat  p)  i f ( p )
Now, only one equation is missing to close the system. Obviously some equations
stating the relationship between the void fraction and the rest of the variables
should be added into the balance
1

1  x g (6)
1 S
x f
But this equation introduces a new variable, the slip ratio S, therefore one more
equation is still missing. The only way to close the problem is to consider some
empirical relationship among those variables. A number of those correlations can
be found in the literature, for instance: Wallis [12] and Premoli [13]. In IMST-ART,
the Chisholm [14] correlation is employed:
1
    2
S  1  x  1  l  (7)
   v 
Now the system is closed, i.e., nine equations combined with nine unknowns.
For the plates, the equation to be written is the balance of the heat exchanged
with the surrounding fluids and the heat transferred by longitudinal conduction
along the wall, i.e.:
kt T
2
w
  q  0;
i 1, 2 i
q
i

Qi
zi y
; Qi 
 zi
 
 Pi h i T w  T i dz i
0 (8)
Normally, the effect of the longitudinal conduction is negligible so that the wall
energy equation becomes the balance equation for the heat exchanged between
fluids
 Qi 0
i 1, 2
25
The boundary conditions are given by the temperatures and pressures of the
fluids at the entrance of the heat exchanger, and by the adiabatic condition for
the outer plates of the heat exchanger.
2.6.2. Global solution strategy

The global solution method employed is called SEWTLE (for Semi Explicit
method for Wall Temperature Linked Equations) and has been outlined above.
In single phase flow, the energy and momentum equations are uncoupled,
leading to the possibility of first using the energy equation (2) and the equations
of state to calculate the temperature solution at the outlet of the fluid cell and then
using the momentum equation (1) to calculate the pressure and density variation.
The employed discretization for the energy equation and the numerical scheme
(LFTV) is described above. The momentum equation is discretized in a similar
manner.
In two phase flow, the energy (4) and momentum (3) equations are coupled by
the pressure, through the influence of the pressure on the temperature.
Fortunately the dependency is weak due to the usual small pressure drop inside
the heat exchanger. Since all the variables mainly depend on the pressure, the
momentum equation may be integrated first. Then, once the pressure at the outlet
of the fluid cell is known, the energy equation can be integrated, leading to the
evaluation of the enthalpy at the outlet, and of the quality and the rest of variables.
The discretization of the governing equations for 2-phase flow is described in the
following.
2.6.3. Discretization of the 2-phase flow

governing equations
A simple, but effective, discretization has been adopted for the momentum
equation. The friction and the gravity terms have been approached by the
arithmetic average value of the corresponding function multiplied by the
increment in distance along the channel. The acceleration term is integrated as
the difference between the outlet and the inlet values.

 2 fG 2 1  x 2 2 
po  pi   
 f  z  G CVo  CVi   
*
 
 1    f g sin z (9)
 Dh  f
g

where * means evaluated at previous iteration, and CV states for:
 x2
CV  G  
1  x 2 
 (10)
  g  f 1    
26
Since the arithmetic averages in (9) require the knowledge of the outlet
conditions, the employed values are updated values calculated from the present
value at the inlet plus a variation of the property along the cell, by assuming that
that variation is the same that the one happened in the previous iteration, i.e.
    i 
o  i *
o  i  o  i  *
2
Outlet value: Averaged value:
Once the outlet pressure has been found, then the thermophysical properties of
the fluid are calculated, and also the temperature. The energy equation can be
discretized in a similar way, and used to provide the outlet enthalpy.
hj  T T 
io  ii    Twj  i o P  j z  g  sin  z (11)
j m  2 
The discretization of the heat transferred to the walls assumes a piecewise

variation of the fluid temperature.
On the other hand, the enthalpy at the outlet io can be written as:
 G 2 xo2   G 2 1  xo 2 

io  xo   igo   1  xo   i fo 
 (12)
 2 o2 o2  
 2 o2 1   2 
As can be seen from this equation, the enthalpy has a polynomial dependency
on the quality (order 3). However, the contribution to the enthalpy of the kinetic
energy term (G2 term) is almost negligible, so that the equation can be explicitly
solved for the outlet quality. The non-linearity induced by the kinetic energy term
and the fact that the outlet void fraction is also an unknown is easily solved again
by estimating those terms through their values at the inlet plus a correction,
evaluated from previous iteration. Therefore, the outlet quality can be estimated
by
1
  2   2 2 2 
  G 2 1  xo     G xo G 2 1  xo    (13)
xo  io   i fo    i fgo   2  2  2  
  2  2 1   o 2    2  2
1    2  
  fo    go o fo o

With this updated value for the outlet quality, the outlet void fraction is now
calculated from (7) and (6), and the calculation of the next fluid cell is started.
Notice that the described system of equations has been discretized in such a way
that the calculation of the outlet conditions at every fluid cell is completely explicit,
and that the calculation starts from the inlet section of the HE and progresses
along every fluid path. However, the iterative nature of the global strategy allows
for the adequate evaluation of the thermophysical properties of the fluids, and of
the friction factor and the heat transfer coefficient at every cell.
27
2.6.4. Wall temperature calculation

Once the fluid temperature is known at every fluid cell, the wall temperature can
be determined at every wall cell, and the global iterative procedure repeated until
the convergence is reached.
To find out the wall temperature Tw the balance between the heat transferred to
the two neighbour fluid cells 1 and 2 is stated as
Q1  Q2  0 (14)
where the heat transferred to fluid cell i has been discretized as
Q  h  P  z  (T  T ) (15)
i i i i w i
In which Ti is the arithmetic average of the inlet and outlet fluid temperatures to
be consistent with (11). Equation (14) leads to the following explicit expression
for the wall temperature:
h1P1 h2 P2
T  T  T
w hP h P 1 hP h P 2 (16)
1 1 2 2 1 1 2 2
Therefore, the calculation of the wall temperature at every cell is based on a very
fast explicit formula.
2.6.5. Heat transfer coefficient and friction

factor correlations
An accurate evaluation of these parameters for two phase flow in PHE is very
difficult, and only a few specific references can be found in the open Literature.
The most employed correlations for heat transfer coefficients and friction factor
for annular flow in pipes were previously studied. However, for 2-phase flow in
PHE, none of them is of immediate application. IMST-group has produced their
own experimental data for both BPHE evaporators and condensers and have
used that information and open literature data, to evolve classical in-tube
correlations to take into account the different geometry and parameterization of
corrugated plates, having led to adapted forms of those correlations that once
adjusted provide a reasonable good prediction for typical geometries and most
usual refrigerants. An exception to this is the correlation by Cooper [15] for
nucleate boiling which give reasonable results for BPHE evaporators and it is
also implemented in IMST-ART.
For single phase flow in PHE some very well established correlations are
published. IMST-ART uses the one proposed in [16].
28
In any case, IMST-Group continuously follows the publication of new correlations

and time to time update or change the default correlations and enlarge the bank
of possible correlations to be selected by the user.
2.6.6. Cells in which the saturation line is

crossed by
An additional difficulty appears in the cells where the saturation line is crossed
by, for instance, the cell in which the evaporation* will be completed and the cell
is long enough to also produce a superheating of the vapour. A possible
numerical option could be to consider the outlet conditions as saturated. The
mistake introduced by this assumption could be small as the cell size becomes
small enough. However, this strategy could lead to problems in convergence,
since during the iterative calculation, a cell could be alternately considered as
evaporation taking place inside, or as superheating taking place. This is a very
undesired property for an iterative procedure. A way to overcome this difficulty is
to recognise what part of the cell is dedicated to finish the evaporation process,
and then the rest of the cell can be treated as a single phase superheating zone.
In general, in evaporators and condensers, four different cases could be found:

i) From evaporation to superheating. ii) From desuperheating to condensation.
iii) From condensation to subcooling and iv) from subcooled heating to
evaporation. The transition from the two phase flow evaporating region to the
superheated region is discussed in the following. In the other mentioned cases,
a similar treatment is required.
Two different portions of the cell (end of the evaporation 2-phase 2ph, and
superheating region 1-phase 1ph), of total length z must be identified. The heat
transferred in both regions are:
Q2 ph  m  1  xi   i fg Q1 ph  m  C p ,v  (To  Tsat )
(17)
Besides:

Q2 ph   P2 phj  h2 phj  z2 ph  Twj  Tsat  (18)
j
 T  To 
Q1 ph   P1 phj  h1 phj  z1 ph   Twj  sat 
j  2 
If pressure losses are negligible, Tsat will be constant and coincident with Ti. By
combining these expressions, the length of each portion of the cell z1ph and z2ph
can be obtained:
* In the text, the boiling process taking place inside the evaporators will be referred to
as evaporation
29
1  xi   m  i fg
z2 ph  z  z1 ph  z  z2 ph
 p2 ph, j  h2 ph, j  Twj  Tsat 
(19)
j
Therefore, the fluid temperature at the outlet of the cell can be found by writing:
 m C 
1
To   m 1  x i i fg  B  C
m C p ,v A
p , v T sat
(20)
where
 T 
A 1
2  p1 ph, j h1 ph, j z1 ph ; B   p1 ph, j h1 ph, j z1 ph  Twj  sat ;
2 
j j 
C   p2 ph, j h2 ph, j z2 ph 
Twj  Tsat 
j
Additionally, in order to make consistent the calculation of the heat transferred

from the fluid to the wall, Q2ph + Q1ph, with the one employed to state the heat
transferred across the wall (15), the heat transfer coefficient must be corrected in
the following way.
z1 ph * h1 ph, j  z2 ph * h2 ph, j

hcell , j 
z (21)
30
2.7. Tube and Fin Coil

The case of a tube and fins coil is essentially the same as the one described
above for PHEs. However, the presence of air as secondary fluid in this kind of
HE imposes several differences, especially when dehumidification is taking place
at the air side of tube and fin evaporators. A HE can be again divided in a series
of refrigerant – air cells which exchange heat throughout a series of wall pieces,
formed in this case by a combination of tube and fins.
2.7.1. Refrigerant side

In the case of an evaporator or a condenser, a 2-phase flow with phase change
occurs inside the tubes. A steady 2-phase flow following an annular pattern is
considered to occur. Therefore, the model and discretization described above for
PHE is also of application for evaporation and condensation inside the tubes.
In IMST-ART, for the case of two-phase flow inside the tubes of a coil, the VDI
correlation [17] is used for evaporation, while the Shah correlation is used for
condensation [18]. For the friction factor coefficient, the Friedel correlation is
employed [19], for both condensation and evaporation. Other correlations are
also available.
Normally, correlations for 2-phase flow are not defined for the high and low quality
region. Therefore, it is necessary for instance to interpolate between an arbitrary
point before saturation (typically x = 0.9) and x = 1 (saturated vapour). In the case
of evaporators, it should be also taken into account the effect of the dry-out
process which is expected to happen once the quality is high enough. In IMST-
ART, a value of 0.9 has been considered as the start of the dry-out process, so
that for higher qualities the heat transfer coefficient is interpolated from the value
corresponding to that quality and the one corresponding to saturated vapour.
In any case, IMST-Group continuously follows the publication of new correlations

and time to time update or change the default correlations and enlarge the bank
of possible correlations to be selected by the user.
2.7.2. Air side

For the air, the governing equations are those stated for the mass, energy and
momentum conservation. In the case of the differential surface shown in figure 1,
the following approximated equations are stated:
 m a di  dQ  m a  dW  i f , wat
(1)
 
dQ  hc T  Twat   hD W  W s , wat i g ,T  i f , wat  Pdz
(2)
31
 m a dW  hD Pdz W  Ws , wat 
(3)
dp

 
d u 2
f
1
u 2
dz dz 2 Dh (4)
where is,wat is the enthalpy of the saturated air at the water surface temperature.
The approach followed to treat the dehumidification process is the one proposed
by Threlkeld [20].
Figure 1 shows an air cell in the more general case in which dehumidification of
humid air takes place when the humid air is in contact with a cold surface. A water
film is formed over the surface. There is a limit boundary layer of air next to the
water surface. The hypothesis that the air in contact with the water film is
saturated at the temperature of the water surface, Twat, is assumed.
mw
if,w
water
Refrigerant
T
Twat
Humid Aairir W T+dT

ma dzr i + di
Ws,wat Tr W + dW
T,i,W
ma
Boundary layer of air dQ
mw+ dmw
if,w
Figure 1. Cooling and dehumidification of humid air around a

tube
Then, the heat transfer can be expressed as a function of the enthalpy difference
as the driving potential in the following way:
dQ 
hw
i  is , w Pdz
bw (5)
32
where:
1
hw 
C p,a yw
bwhC   kw (6)
where kw is the water thermal conductivity and yw is the thickness the water film.
The value for hC comes from semi-empirical correlations. In IMST-ART, the ones
proposed by Chi Chuan Wang [21] and [22], are used as default correlations for
either sensible heat transfer or dehumidifying conditions.
2.7.3. Global solution strategy

The global solution method employed for the calculation of the heat exchangers
is called SEWTLE (for Semi Explicit method for Wall Temperature Linked
Equations) and has been outlined above. For the case of air to refrigerant heat
transfer it can be implemented in the following way.
In two-phase flow, the energy and momentum equations are coupled by the
pressure through its influence on the temperature. Fortunately the dependence
is weak due to the usual small pressure drop inside the heat exchanger. Since all
the variables mainly depend on the pressure, the momentum equation can be
integrated first. Then, once the pressure at the outlet of the fluid cell is known,
the energy equation can be integrated, leading to the evaluation of the enthalpy
at the outlet, and of the quality and the rest of variables. The discretized equations
for 2-phase flow become:
h  T T 
io  ii   Tw  i o  P  z  g  sin   z
m  2  (7)
At the airside, for the case in which there is dehumidification of the air, the energy
equation (11) is integrated, calculating first the outlet enthalpy, and then the outlet
temperature.

hw Pz
 h Pz
 w 
m a bw
 is ,w 1  e mabw 
 
io  ii e
 
  (8)

hC Pz
 h Pz
 C 
To  Ti e
m a C p , a 
 Tw 1  e
m a C p , a 
 
  (9)
The latent heat is calculated as the difference between the total heat and the
sensible heat. From the latent heat, the outlet humidity is calculated. The
33
momentum equation is then integrated, getting the outlet pressure of the air.
Finally, the outlet properties of the air can be calculated.
Once the refrigerant temperature and the air temperature are known at every cell,
the wall temperature can be determined at every wall cell by the balance of heat
transfer between the fluids and the wall.

Pa z a ha,eq (Tw )Ta ,i  Tw   Pr z r hr Tw  Tr  (10)
where hr and ha,eq have been defined in such a way that provide the heat
exchanged with the fluids through the equivalent temperature difference in such
a way that the equation becomes linear.
Typically, the number of required iterations to get the solution ranges from 10 to
20.
34
2.8. Catalogue Heat Exchanger

Due to the difficulties encountered in defining the geometrical characteristics of
Shell and Tube and Double tube heat exchangers, some simplified models have
been included in ART, aiming at providing the possibility of including the types of
heat exchanger in the refrigeration system design. There are two level of
approximation. One model is based on the calculation of the heat transfer
coefficient and the pressure drop as functions of the design and the catalogue
conditions. This method is exclusively used in Shell and Tube design. Another is
a simplified form to obtain a constant UA for the heat exchanger by an
extrapolation-interpolation procedure. This second model can be used for both
Shell and Tube and Double Tube heat exchangers modelling.
2.8.1. Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger

In this section, some details are given related to the model based on the
estimation of the heat transfer coefficient and the pressure drop by means of a
functional which depends on the design and the catalogue conditions. This model
takes advantage of some special characteristics of the heat transfer and pressure
drop correlations available in the existing literature.
Model description
During the design process of the refrigeration equipment is common to know the
inlet conditions, namely, the fluid inlet temperatures (T 01i and T02i) and the
mass flow rates (m_ 01 and m_ 02).
Considering that the following catalogue conditions are known:
Condensation temperature or evaporation temperature depending on the case

(Tcond or Tevap), secondary fluid mass flow rate (m_ 2), secondary fluid inlet
temperature (T2i) and the heat exchanged in the heat exchanger (Q) the rest of
the catalogue conditions can be calculated:
Q
T2o  T2i 
m 2 c p 2
the log mean temperature difference, _Tlm and the UA in this conditions
Q
UA 
Tlm
For the calculation of the outlet conditions at the design point the -NTU method
is used to determine the outlet conditions, in a way that if
UA'
NTU ' 
m 2 c p 2
35
and the efficiency is
’ = 1 – exp(-NTU’)
the heat exchanged in the condenser or in the evaporator can be re-calculated

as
Q’new =  Q’max
Now, the outlet conditions can be determined with this new Q’new. This yields an
iterative procedure which will be repeated until convergence based on the heat
Q’ is reached. To begin the calculations a first guess is needed, in this case, it is
proposed that the heat exchanger efficiency is  = 0:6 at the design conditions,
and if the maximum heat exchanged in the heat exchanger is given by
Q’max = m '2 c p 2 (T '1i T '2i ) .
the heat exchanged is
Q’ =  Q’max
so this first guessed outlet conditions are given by
h’1o = h’1i + ’Q’max

 ' Q' max
T ' 2 o  T ' 2i 
m '1
For the calculations of the product UA’ it is necessary to compute the heat transfer
coefficients in the design conditions, both the refrigerant coefficient and the
secondary fluid one (i and e) as
1 1 1  ' A'  ' e A'e

   i i
UA'  'i A'i  ' e A' e  'i A'i  'e A'e
where fouling resistance has been neglected and:
i: internal heat transfer coefficient,

Ai: internal heat transfer surface,
e: external heat transfer coefficient,
Ae: external heat transfer surface.
These coefficients mostly depend on the fluids, the heat exchanger geometry and
the flow conditions. As the geometrical information is missing, the following
strategy is carried out:
36
Let us consider that the global heat transfer coefficient is given by at the
catalogue conditions as
1  i Ai   e Ae

UA  i Ai  e Ae
Considering that the previous UA is calculated at the manufacturer's conditions

(catalogue conditions) and dividing UA’ at design conditions by UA at catalogue
conditions
UA'  ' i  ' e  i Ai   e Ae

 .
UA  i  e  ' i A' i  ' e A' e
Defining
 'e '
e  and  i  i
e i
and considering that shell-and-tube evaporators and condensers are designed in

a way that the thermal resistances are balanced which is a common practice
iAi = eAe
the global heat transfer ratio can be written as
UA' 2 i 2 i  e
 i e  .
UA  i  i Ai   e  e Ae  i   e
A summarised version of this algorithm is shown in the following figure.
Regarding pressure drop, a simple method is only proposed for the pressure drop
evaluation in the secondary fluid side. The refrigerant side has not been
considered since, in general, no information is provided by the manufacturer,
unlike to what happens with the secondary fluid. In what follows, several
expressions have been derived for the ratio,
p'
p
so it is calculated as just a function of the fluid properties and the mass flow rate
at the manufacturer conditions and at the design conditions
37
Known catalogue conditions

m2, T2i, Tcond ó Tevap, Q
and design conditions
m’1, T’1i, m’2, T’2i
The rest of catalogue conditions are

estimated
T2o = Q/m2cp2 + T2i
Q’ is calculated, and the outlet conditions

of the refrigerant and the secondary fluid
Assuming ’ = 0.6
Q’max = m’2cp2(T’1i – T’2i)
Q’ = Q’max
h'1o = h’1i - Q’max/m’1
T2o = T2i + Q’max/(m’2cp2)
i, e
UA’ = UA·2·ie/(i + e)
NTU = UA’/(m’2cp2)
 = 1 – exp(-NTU)
Q’max = m’2cp2(T’1i – T’2i)
Q’new = Q’max
h'1o = h’1i + Q’max/m’1
T’2o = T’2i + Q’max/(m2cp2)
-6
No |Q ’- Q’new|<10
Yes
END
38
2.8.2. Double Tube/Shell and Tube HEs.

Simplified Model
In many Shell and Tube or Double Tube Heat Exchanger catalogues the internal
geometrical structure of the heat exchanger is not given. Furthermore, in the case
of Double Tube Heat Exchanger the operating conditions cannot be calculated
by using the procedure explained in the previous section. Therefore, another
procedure is implemented in ART in order to calculate this class of heat
exchanger. It is called Simplified Model. This simply consists of obtaining a
constant UA for the heat exchanger by an extrapolation-interpolation procedure.
It can be used for both Shell and Tube and Double Tube heat exchangers
modelling.
There are two levels of accuracy in the Simplified Model; each level depends on
the available information in the Heat Exchanger catalogue. The first level is used
when the catalogue information is only the behaviour of the Heat Exchanger
working in a single point. Usually this point was obtained at the manufacturer
laboratory (we are going to call this working point as ‘catalogue conditions’). In
this case, the only possible procedure is to consider that UA is going to be the
same in both, catalogue and working conditions. Thus, once the UA’ at catalogue
conditions is calculated by means of the LMTD method, its value is given to UA
at working conditions. After, the behaviour of Heat Exchanger is calculated at
working conditions by using the ε-NTU method. To calculate the pressure drop of
refrigerant, a simple extrapolation method is used by considering other data
available at catalogue conditions.
In some occasions, the behaviour of the heat exchangers is given by a family of

curves which were obtained by the manufacturer at laboratory conditions. In this
case, more information about the Heat Exchanger is available, so it is possible to
use the second level of the Simplified Model. This has been named as
‘Applications Ratings’.
The catalogue information must have a similar form as following figures show:
39
The first graph shows the evolution of thermal transfer Capacity of the Heat
Exchanger in function of two variables, Water flow Rate and Entry Temperature
of secondary fluid. Second graph shows the evolution of pressure drop of
refrigerant as a function of the Water flow Rate of secondary Fluid. Both graphs
are valid for a specific condensation or evaporation temperature of refrigerant
used during the tests carried out by the manufacturer.
In this case, the procedure to calculate the Heat Exchanger is the following:
Firstly, a family of splines curves is calculated which contains the information of
the Heat Exchanger at catalogue conditions. It is important to note that the
refrigerant and the secondary fluid at catalogue conditions (i.e. inlet temperature
of secondary fluid, evaporation or condensation temperature of refrigerant) may
be different from the refrigerant and the secondary fluid at operating conditions,
although the Heat Exchanger is the same. So, the next step is to convert the
operating conditions to equivalent catalogue conditions. This is possible by
interpolating and obtaining the capacity of heat exchanger by means of the
previously calculated splines. With this information, a value of UA’ at catalogue
conditions is calculated with LMTD method. This value is given to UA at working
conditions and the behaviour of Heat Exchanger at working conditions is
characterised by means of ε-NTU method.
To calculate the pressure drop of refrigerant in working conditions a similar

interpolation procedure to that previously described is used based on the
available catalogue data.
40
This procedure is described in the following diagram:
Known catalogue conditions

m'2, T’2i, T’cond or T’evap, Q’, a family of splines is
constructed by means of the catalogue information
Its equivalent working condition point is calculated

m2e=( ρ’2/ ρ2)m2
T2ie= T2i
Q is evaluated by means of the interpolation

of the previous splines
Q’=f(m2e, T2ie)
The remaining catalogue conditions are calculated

T2oe = Q/m2ec’p2 + T2i
UA’ (catalogue conditions) is calculated by means of LMTD

method and it is imposed equal to UA (working conditions)
UA=UA’
Q is calculated
by means of  -
NTU method
END
41
2.9. Expansion Device

Several expansion devices are possible in IMST-ART: thermostatic or electronic
expansion valve, capillary tube, and short tube.
The model for thermostatic and electronic expansion valves is very simple and
just assumes that the device is able to keep a constant superheat. Therefore, the
specified superheat at the outlet of the evaporator is the required input value. This
model is particularly adequate for electronic expansion devices since they are
actually able to keep a very constant superheat independently of the operating
conditions. A TXV is not able to keep superheat exactly constant but quite
constant over the main part of the working range of operating conditions so that
the model is also adequate to simulate that kind of valves.
The models for capillary tubes and short tubes allow the use of ASHRAE
correlations for mass-flow rate calculation. Additionally, IMST-ART includes a
separated flow model for the alternative calculation of the capillary tube, based
on the discretization of the tube in cells and integration of the two-phase flow
separated conservation equations. A detailed description of the mentioned
detailed model for capillary tubes can be found in [5]. This model allows
calculation with any refrigerant, size of the tube, inlet conditions (quality) and heat
transfer and it is therefore very useful when ASHRAE correlations lie outside their
range of application.
All expansion device models also assume isoenthalpic flow which in fact is very
close to reality.
42
2.10. Piping
Three piping lines are considered to exist in IMST-ART: discharge, liquid, and
suction. These lines are regarded as pipes with pressure drop and heat transfer.
The model assumes an -NTU for the heat transfer calculation, with consideration
of the corresponding insulation and surrounding air temperature. The HTC
corresponding to the surrounding air is calculated depending on the type of
assumed convection process: forced or natural.
Pressure drop is calculated taking into account friction, gravity and acceleration
terms. Pressure losses produced by minor accessories (bends, junctions, check
valves…) can be specified. They are considered through the classical approach
of increasing the length of the pipe.
2.11. Accessories
IMST-ART also includes simple models of accessories like: the 4-ways valve
characteristic of reversible equipment, the liquid to suction heat exchanger, ports
at the HEs, fans or pumps. The objective of those models is always to allow the
user to estimate the pressure drop and heat transfer that these accessories can
generate. They are simple models and try to always require the minimum
information from the user: normally usual catalogue data information.
43
2.12. Global System of Equations

A balance between the above stated equations for every component and the list
of unknowns (refrigerant properties at every point of the circuit plus the circulating
mass flow arte) easily shows that the system of equations requires an additional
closure equation. The refrigerant mass inventory provides this equation in
general. However, as discussed in [23], the existence of a liquid receiver at the
condenser outlet imposes saturated or slightly subcooled conditions at the outlet
of the receiver, so that this new condition allows the closure of the system. Mass
inventory then becomes an auxiliary equation, which would only be necessary for
the calculation of the liquid level in the receiver. For systems that do not contain
a liquid receiver, the statement of the specified subcooling at the condenser outlet
would alternatively allow the closure of the system of equations.
The governing equations of each component described above can be basically

posed in the form:
f ( pi , ii , po , io , m )  0 (1)
The input values to each sub-model are the pressure, enthalpy and mass flow
rate at the inlet and the outlet. Then, using the thermodynamic functions, any
other thermodynamic property (temperature, density …) can be known and the
output value of the function (1) can be calculated. Therefore, the problem is
reduced to calculate the solution to a non-linear system of equations f(x) =0.
The system of equations is solved using a standard solver based on the

MINPACK subroutine HYBRD1, which uses a modification of M.J.D. Powell's
hybrid algorithm. This algorithm is a variation of Newton's method, which uses a
finite-difference approximation to the Jacobian and takes precautions to avoid
large step sizes or increasing residuals. For further description, see [24].
The program continuously surveys the convergence of the method and a special
strategy to find appropriate initial solutions and also to carefully bound variables
and functions have been worked out. The result of all this is an extremely robust
algorithm.
44
2.13. References
[1] Corberán J. M., Gonzálvez J., Montes P., Blasco R. ‘ART’ a Computer
Code to Assist the Design of Refrigeration and A/C Equipment, International
Refrigeration Conference at Purdue, 2002.
[2] Corberán, J.M., Fernández de Córdoba, P. Gonzálvez, J.,Alias, F,

Semiexplicit Method for Wall Temperature Linked Equations (SEWTLE): A
General Finite-Volume Technique for the Calculation of Complex Heat
Exchangers, Numerical Heat Transfer, Part B vol 40 pp. 37-59, 2001.
[3] Corberán J.M. et al., Modelling of Compact Evaporators and Condensers,

Advanced Computational Methods in Heat Transfer VI, WIT Press. pp. 487-496,
2000.
[4] Corberán J. M. et al., Modeling of tube and fin coils working as evaporators
or condensers, 3rd European Thermal Sciences Conference, Heidelberg, pp.
1199-1204, September 2000.
[5] Fuentes D., Corberán J.M., Pérez-Navarro A. Numerical calculation of

critical mass flowrate in adiabatic capillary tubes. 3rd International Symposium
on Two-Phase Flow Modelling and Experimentation Pisa, 22-24 September
2004. Vol I, 213 - 219.
[6] Corberán J., Gonzálvez J., Fuentes D. Calculation of Refrigerant

Properties by Linear Interpolation of Bidimensional Meshes. IIR International
Conference Thermophysical Properties and Transport Process of Refrigerants,
Vicenza 31 Aug – 2 Sept 2005. Pre-prints Vol, 161 - 168.
[7] REFPROP Version 7.0. NIST thermodynamics and transport properties of

refrigerants and refrigerant mixtures database, Tech. report, National Institute of
Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD. 20899, 2002.
[8] Melinder Ake. Thermophysical Properties of Liquid Secondary

Refrigerants. International Institute of Refrigeration, Paris, 1997.
[9] ARI Standard 540, Performance rating of positive displacement

compressors and compressor units, 2004.
[10] Asinari P. Finite–volume and finite-element hybrid technique for the

calculation of complex heat exchangers by semiexplicit method for wall
temperature linked equations (SEWTLE), Numerical Heat Transfer, Part B.
Fundamentals 45 (3), 221-248, 2004.
[11] Patankar, S.V., Numerical Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow, Hemisphere,
1980.
[12] Wallis, G. B. One dimensional Two-Phase flow, Mc-Graw-Hill: New York,

1969.
45
[13] Premoli, A. Et al. A dimensionless correlation for determining the density

of two-phase mixtures. Termotecnica, Vol. 25, pp.17-26, 1971.
[14] Chisholm, D. A theoretical basis for the Lockhart-Martinelli correlation for

two-phase flow. Int. J. of Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 10, pp. 1767-78, 1972.
[15] Cooper, M.G. Heat Flow Rates in Saturated Nucleate Pool Boiling- A Wide
Ranging Examination Using Reduced Properties, Advances in Heat Transfer,
Vol.16. ,1984.
[16] Cooper A., Dennis Usher J., Friction Factor Correlations and Heat Transfer
Correlations, 3.7.4 and 3.7.5 in 1998 Heat Exchanger Design Handbook, Ed.
Hewitt G.F., Begell House, 1998.
[17] Schundler E.U. (editor), 1990, Heat Transfer Atlas, VDI Verlag, Woodhead
Publishing, 1990.
[18] Shah M. M., A general correlation for heat transfer during film
condensation inside pipes. Int. J. Heat and Mass Transfer, 22, 547-556, 1979.
[19] Friedel L., Pressure drop during gas/vapour-liquid flow in pipes. Int.
Chemical Engineering, 20:352-367, 1980.
[20] Threlkeld J. L., Thermal Environmental Engineering. Prentice Hall,

Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1970.
[21] Wang, Chi-Chuan, Performance of Plate finned Tube Heat Exchangers

Under Dehumidifying Conditions, J. Of Heat Transfer, vol. 119, pp.109-117,1997.
[22] Wang, Chi-Chuan et al, Sensible heat and friction characteristics of plate
fin-and-tube heat exchangers having plane fins, Int. J. of Refrigeration, vol. 19,pp.
223-230,1996.
[23] Corberán J. M., Gonzálvez J., The Matching Problem on the Modelling of
Vapour Compression Systems. A Tool to Analyse the System Behaviour,
International Refrigeration Conference 1998 at Purdue, pp. 233-238.
[24] Powell, M.J.D., Restart procedures for the conjugate gradient method,
Mathematical Programming, (1977).
46
3. Installation
Follow these steps in order to install IMST-ART Professional Version in your
computer:
1. Run the installer.
2. Follow the installation steps on screen until finishing the Installation Program.
NOTE (For Windows Vista/7/8 users): If graph and grid controls are not
already installed on the computer, the installer will ask for a user with
administrator privileges in order to install the controls and finish the
installation.
3. Run the program.
4. The first time you execute the program, you will be asked to introduce the
registration key.
5. In order to get the Registration Key you must send the Registration Number
shown on screen to:
art@iie.upv.es
47
6. Close the program. When you will receive the Registration Key via e-mail, you
should run again the program, paste the Registration Key and press the “Ok”
button. The program will start with the welcome window:
7. Following these steps you will get full access to the program.
8. NOTE (For Windows Vista/7/8 users only): The installer creates a library
named “IMST-ART” (available in the “Libraries” section in the Windows
Explorer) in order to allow an easy access to the software files.
48
4. Working Space
IMST-ART main working space is subdivided in four different areas: the menu
bar, the toolbar, the space for the new windows and the status bar.
IMST-ART is a menu based application, featuring all the commands grouped in

seven pull-down menus. You can see the menu bar on top of the main window.
Below the menu bar is located the toolbar, with some icons providing shortcuts
to the most common program functions.
The biggest part of the screen is the working space for the new windows. Maybe
one of the most powerful features of IMST-ART is that it is built as an MDI
application (Multiple Document Interface). That means that you can have multiple
windows opened at the same time allowing you to work with multiple cycles
simultaneously, and compare the results of more than one simulation.
On the bottom of the screen, is located the status bar. This bar provides with
some information about what the program is doing, or the status of some
operations.
49
4.1. Menu Bar

The menu bar provides access to all the program functions. It is divided in eight
pull-down menus.
The “File” menu provides the following commands for file/print related options:
 Open: Opens an IMST-ART file in a new window.

 Close: Closes the current selected Window.
 Save: Saves to disk the data of the current Cycle.
 Save as: Saves to disk the data of the current Cycle with a new name.
 Print: Prints the actual selection. This option is only enabled when the
currently selected window is a results window.
 Print Setup: Allows the user to configure printing options.
 Exit: Closes the program.
The “View” menu provides one way to customize the IMST-ART working space.
From this menu, you can Show/Hide the ToolBar and the StatusBar (the thin bar
on the bottom of the screen).
50
The “Configuration” menu provides with commands for setting up the

application:
 Preferences: Shows the preferences window, where the user can select
between Imperial or International Units Systems.
The “Thermophysical Properties” menu provides with commands for starting a

new study of the Thermophysical Properties of a refrigerant.
 Saturation Properties Calculation: Creates a new window for studying the

Saturation Properties of a refrigerant.
 Superheated Properties Calculation: Creates a new window for studying
the Superheated Properties of a refrigerant.
The “Simulation” menu provides with commands for starting a new type of
simulation.
 Theoretical Cycle: Creates a new Cycle, and opens a new Theoretical

Cycle window for input data.
 Working Cycle: Creates a new Cycle, and opens a new Working Cycle
window for input data.
 Double Stage Cycle: Creates a new Cycle, and opens a new Double Stage
Cycle Window.
 Standalone Heat Exchanger: Creates a new Cycle, and opens a new
Standalone Heat Exchanger Window.
51
The “Tools” menu provides with some useful commands that can be used in
different situations:
 Default Values: Clears all the values for the current selected window, and
replaces it with the default ones.
 Parametric Studies: Shows the Parametric Studies Dialog. This option is
only enabled when the parametric studies check is enabled on the current
selected cycle window.
 Calculate: Starts a new calculation with the data of the current selected
cycle window. This option is only enabled when the current selected cycle
window has all the necessary data to do a new calculation properly.
 Last Results: Shows the results of the last calculation done. If a new cycle
is loaded, and it was calculated before saving it to disk, it shows the results
obtained in that calculation.
 Detailed Output: Shows detailed results when available. This option is only
enabled when a Results Window is opened, and the current selected tab
has Detailed Results.
 Plot graph: Shows the Plot Graph Dialog. This option is only enabled when
a Results Window is opened.
 Copy to Clipboard: Copies the data contained in a Results Window grid to
the windows clipboard, so the user can paste it in other place, like an excel
sheet.
 Generate Report: Creates a Rich Text Format (RTF) file with a report of
the current results.
 Export Results: Creates a CSV file with some of the results. The user can
choose which results will be included in the file.
 Export to Excel: Creates an Excel Worksheet (XLS) with the results of the
current grid.
52
The “Window” menu provides the window management functions.
 Cascade: Arranges all opened windows in cascade mode.

 Arrange Icons: Arranges the minimized windows at the bottom of the
working space.
Below those previous mentioned commands, there is a list with the titles of the
opened windows. The user could click on the title of each window to bring it to
front.
The “Help” menu provides help about the program:
 Help: Shows a window with the online help.

 User License: Shows the End User License Agreement.
 Find Updates: Connects to Internet to download the latest version of the
program.
 Reactivate License: Allows the user to reactivate the current license.
 About IMST-ART: Shows the about window.
53
4.2. Toolbar
Below the menu bar, is located the Toolbar. It provides a fast shortcut to the most
commonly used commands by clicking on icons.
The available toolbar icons may vary depending on what kind of window is
currently selected.
If there’s no window selected, the only available icons are:
If the current selected window is a Cycle Window, the only available icons are:
If the current selected window is a Results Window, the only available icons are:
The button of the toolbar is a shortcut to the “FileOpen” menu command.
The button of the toolbar is a shortcut to the “FileSave” menu command.
The button of the toolbar is a shortcut to the “FilePrint” menu command.
The button of the toolbar is a shortcut to the “Thermophysical Properties

Saturation Properties Calculation” menu command.
The button of the toolbar is a shortcut to the “Thermophysical Properties

Superheated Properties Calculation” menu command.
The button of the toolbar is a shortcut to the “SimulationTheoretical Cycle”

menu command.
The button of the toolbar is a shortcut to the “SimulationDouble Stage Cycle”

menu command.
54
The button of the toolbar is a shortcut to the “SimulationWorking Cycle”

menu command.
The button of the toolbar is a shortcut to the “SimulationStandalone Heat

Exchanger” menu command.
The button of the toolbar is a shortcut to the “ConfigurationPreferences”

menu command.
The button of the toolbar is a shortcut to the “ToolsDefault Values” menu

command.
The button of the toolbar is a shortcut to the “ToolsParametric Studies” menu

command.
The button of the toolbar is a shortcut to the “ToolsCalculate” menu command.
The button of the toolbar is a shortcut to the “ToolsLast Results” menu

command.
The button of the toolbar is a shortcut to the “ToolsPlot Graph” menu

command.
The button of the toolbar is a shortcut to the “ToolsDetailed Output” menu

command.
The button of the toolbar is a shortcut to the “HelpHelp” menu command.
The button of the toolbar is a shortcut to the “FileClose” menu command.
The button of the toolbar closes all the opened windows in the workspace.
55
5. Standalone Heat Exchanger

The Standalone Heat Exchanger module allows the calculation of a heat
exchanger independent of a vapour compression cycle working as condenser or
evaporator.
The main window is designed to input all the information of a given Heat
Exchangers. User can load a previously saved heat exchanger definition using
the button “Load Heat Exchanger”.
Parametric Studies can be qualified by clicking on the check box located in the
upper left corner of the window . To select the parameters and
enter their values the "Parametric Studies" button has to be clicked. Once a
calculation variable has been selected as parameter, the corresponding field in
the main window is disabled, as it can be seen in the window where Relative
Humidity has been selected as parameter.
All the input values can be stored in files with the extension .hef (heat exchanger
file). The files can be restored by clicking on the "Open File" button.
When all the information has been entered the calculation can be performed by
clicking on the "Calculate" button. When calculations have been performed, the
"Last Results" button is activated. This button displays the results of the last
calculation performed.
56
The next fields in the window have to be filled

 Type: Defines the Heat Exchanger Geometry. User can select the
following options:
o Coil
o Plates
o Tubes and Wire
o Microchannel
 Working Mode: the heat exchanger can work as an evaporator or as a
condenser.
 Internal Fluid: In this dropbox, the user selects the refrigerant that uses
the Heat Exchanger
Secondary Fluid Group
 Secondary fluid: the fluid that will work as secondary fluid in the heat
exchanger can be selected from a list. If the fluid selected is brine, the
concentration of the additive or the desired freezing temperature has to be
given by the user. “Coil”, “Tubes and Wire” and “Microchannel” models can
only work with Air as secondary fluid. Data of the selected secondary fluid
can be modified by clicking the "Fluid Data" button.
 Inlet Temperature: the temperature of the secondary fluid at the inlet of
the heat exchanger.
 Secondary Inlet Flow Rate-Outlet Temperature: The second boundary
condition of the secondary fluid can be Outlet temperature or Inlet Flow
Rate. If given one of the two, the program will calculate the other.
o Secondary Inlet Flow Rate: This value can be introduced as Flow
Rate or Face Velocity (in this case, flow rate is calculated internally
with the frontal area of the HE). The value can be given under actual
or standard conditions. This can be selected in the bottom left
checkbox.
o Outlet Temperature: User has to introduce the desired
temperature. User has to be care with values given air flow rates
lower than 0.5 m/s or higher than 10 m/s. These values are
unrealistic and can give convergence problems.
 Fan/Pump Definition: This section is used for define the power consumed
by fan or pump that moves the secondary fluid.
o Fan/Pump Power It corresponds with Fan Power when Air is
selected as secondary fluid. Otherwise, it corresponds with Pump
Power. Fan/Pump power is the electric consumption of this device,
located on secondary circuit of the heat Exchanger where it is
installed.
o Efficiency: It is the fan/pump static efficiency; ratio between the
fluid static pumping energy and the electrical consumption of the
fan/pump located in the secondary circuit of the heat Exchanger
where it is installed.
 Air Inlet Relative Humidity/Wet-Bulb Temperature: This is only

available when Air is the secondary fluid. The user gives the content of
57
water vapour in the inlet air by means of Relative Humidity or Wet Bulb
Temperature.
Refrigerant Group
 Operating Conditions: This dropbox contains different options to

calculate the heat exchanger. Inputs depends on the Heat Exchanger
Type.
The option “Inlet Conditions and Mass Flow Rate” is useful when mass
flow rate is known from a previous compressor selection. Main Output of
this option is the Heat Exchanger Capacity and Outlet conditions
(Superheat or Subcooling)
Options “Inlet Conditions and Subcooling/Superheat” and “Inlet Conditions
and Outlet Temperature” are useful to select a compressor for a desired
evaporation/condensation temperatures in a heat exchanger.
Finally, the options “Subcooling and Mass Flow Rate” and “Superheat and
Mass Flow Rate” are useful to find the expected evaporation/condensation
temperature when a given compressor is selected.
Condenser
o Inlet Conditions and Mass Flow Rate: User has to introduce:
 Inlet Saturation Temperature or Inlet Saturation Pressure
 Inlet Temperature or Superheat.
 Refrigerant mass flow rate.
o Inlet Conditions and Subcooling: In this case, inputs are:
 Subcooling
o Inlet Conditions and Outlet Temperature: Inputs are:
 Refrigerant Outlet Temperature
o Subcooling and Mass Flow Rate: Inputs are:
 Outlet Temperature or Subcooling
 Mass Flow Rate
Evaporator
o Inlet Conditions and Mass Flow Rate: User has to introduce:
 Inlet Quality or Condensation Temperature and Subcooling.
In the case that second option is selected, inlet quality is
calculated assuming same enthalpy as the point given.
 Refrigerant mass flow rate.
o Inlet Conditions and Superheat: In this case, inputs are:
 Superheat
58
o Inlet Conditions and Outlet Temperature: Inputs are:

 Refrigerant Outlet Temperature
o Superheat and Mass Flow Rate: Inputs are:
 Outlet Temperature or Superheat.
 Mass Flow Rate.
59
5.1. Parameters
This window can be activated from the “Tools” option on the menu bar and it is
designed to allow an easy and fast selection of the parameters to be modified
throughout the parametric study to be performed. The parameters are selected
from a list. Once a parameter is selected, it will remain highlighted and it is
immediately inserted (with its units) into the grid below. Each selected parameter
can be deselected just by clicking above it again. All selected parameters can be
deleted by clicking on the "Delete All Parameters" button.
60
The parameters are grouped by components; the available parameters of each

component are displayed in the list when the corresponding radio button has
been activated.
New Calculation Cases can be added and removed by clicking the "Add Case"
and "Remove Case" buttons respectively.
The values for each Calculation Case can be entered in the grid or automatically
filled in by entering the initial and final values and clicking the "Apply button".
The following window is shown when the working refrigerant is selected as

parameter and the corresponding cell in the grid is clicked. All the available
refrigerants are included in the list and can be selected by clicking on its name.
New Calculation Cases can be added and removed clicking the "Add Case" and
"Remove Case" buttons respectively.
filled upon entering the initial and final values and clicking the "Apply button".
61
When the option “N-dimensional Studies” is checked, the program generates all
the combinations for the different values of all parameters. For instance, if the
user activates the “N-dimensional Studies” with two parameters (Inlet
Temperature and Inlet Relative Humidity) and three cases, the program solves
nine cases in total.
The user selects three cases for Inlet Temperature:

- 25 ºC
- 26 ºC
- 27 ºC
And three cases for Inlet Relative Humidity:

- 50%
- 60%
- 70%
62
63
The program solves the following cases:
- 25ºC and 50%

- 25ºC and 60%
- 25ºC and 70%
- 26ºC and 50%
- 26ºC and 60%
- 26ºC and 70%
- 27ºC and 50%
- 27ºC and 60%
- 27ºC and 70%
64
5.2. Define Heat Exchanger

This button allows to define the geometry of the selected heat exchanger.
Depending on the heat exchanger selected, input data is different. Current
version of the software allows to define the following geometries.
5.2.1. Coil
Input parameters for this geometry is exactly the same as defined in the working
cycle. User can find details in the section 6.2.5 of this manual.
5.2.2. Plates
5.2.3. Tubes and Wire

65
5.2.4. Microchannel
Microchannel is a detailed modelling Heat exchanger where air and refrigerant
are discretized in cells where mass, momentum and energy conservation
equations are solved. Model takes into account heat transfer and pressure drop,
with local evaluation of the heat transfer coefficient and friction factor.
The following fields have to be filled:

 Working Mode: User has no option to change this radio button. Working
mode is determined by user selection in the parent window described
above.
 Core/Tube Dimensions
o Exchanger Width: Length of the finned part of the heat exchanger.
It is the same dimension as the tube length from one header to the
opposite.
o Number of Ports: Number of channels in the refrigerant side of the
tubes.
o Tube Depth: Dimension of the tube in the air direction and
transversal to the refrigerant direction.
o Wall Thickness: Thickness of the tube wall that separates
refrigerant from air.
o Tube Port Design: User can select 3 options:
 Round Port: Port Diameter is needed.
66
 Triangular Port: Triangle Height and Base dimension are

needed.
 Rectangular Port: Length and Width of the rectangle are
needed.
 Tube Material: different materials can be selected for the tubes of the heat
exchanger. It is also possible to add new materials to a database by
clicking on the "Add" button, once the materials have been added to the
database they can be modified by clicking on the "Modify" button.
 Fin Data
o Thickness: the thickness of each fin.
o Fin Pitch: the fin pitch is the separation in between two fins plus
the thickness of a fin. The user can set the fin pitch parameter or
the fin density parameter.
o Fin Density: the longitudinal density of fins per tube, that is, the
number of fins per unit of length (fins per inch). The user could set
the fin density parameter or the fin pitch parameter.
o Type: User can select between different geometries (Plain, Wavy,
Louvered and superslit). Air correlations are then selected
automatically to calculate these geometries.
o Material: different materials can be selected for the heat
exchanger's fins. It is also possible to add new materials to a
database by clicking on the "Add Fin Material" button. When the
materials have been added to the database they can be modified
by clicking on the "Modify Fin Material" button.
o Fin Height: Dimension between tubes measured from the external
tube side.
o Fin Depth: Dimension of the fin in the air direction. This dimension
can be different to the tube dimension, having the possibility to
calculate “hanging” fins.
 Circuitry
o Type: Two possibilities are given: parallel and serpentine. In
parallel type, there are headers and refrigerant is allowed to divide
between different tubes and follow multipass (From one header to
another). In Serpentine type, there are not headers and refrigerant
flows through one single tube that is bended to form the serpentine.
o Tube Orientation: Possibilities are “horizontal” or “vertical”. The
reference is the gravity direction. In position “horizontal”, no head
pressure drop exists in the refrigerant when flowing through the
tube.
o Refrigerant Inlet: Four Possibilities can be defined: “Top Left”,
“Top Right”, “Bottom Left” and “Bottom right”. Relative orientations
are defined based on the figure shown in the window, as if the Heat
exchanger has the tubes in horizontal position.
o Number of tubes: Giving this value and with previously defined
“Fin height” and “wall thickness” the height of the heat exchanger
can be determined.
o Number of passes: Number of times refrigerant goes from one
header to another. For instance 1 pass with refrigerant inlet at top
left means that refrigerant flows to the left header(Inlet header) to
the right header (outlet header), 2 pass with refrigerant inlet at top
67
left means that refrigerant flows from the left header to the right
header and then to the left header again. In this last case, left
header is the inlet and outlet header.
 Tubes per Pass: In this grid, number of tubes in each pass
are defined.
o Header Diameter: Both headers are assumed of the same
dimension.
 Enhancement Factors: multipliers that affect the corresponding HTC or
Pressure Drop correlation for the refrigerant or the air. The user can adjust
the calculated results to the experiments by simply increasing or
decreasing these factors.
It is also possible to save the defined heat exchanger in a file with the
extension ".exc". The "Save Heat Exchanger" button displays the
corresponding saving window.
5.2.4.1. Define Correlations

Section 6.2.9 of this manual describes general description of correlations for all
the Heat Exchanger models used.
68
6. Working Cycle
The Working Cycle evaluates the cycle for the required components: evaporator,
condenser, compressor and accessories.
The main window is designed to select the desired components and display
information about them. The components can be selected from several lists of
evaporators, condensers and compressors. New heat exchangers and
compressors can be added clicking the "Add Exchanger" and "Add Compressor"
buttons respectively.
The user can then select among several options for calculating the condenser
outlet such as: given condenser subcooling, Liquid Receiver, Refrigerant Charge,
Gas Cooler Outlet Temperature or Temperature Approach (last two options are
only available for CO2). Also, the user can select among several options about
the calculation of the expansion device effect on the system, including: given
superheat (at Evaporator Outlet or at Compressor Inlet), capillary tube, or short
tube.
69
It is also possible to select the “Dehumidifier Mode”. When this mode is selected,
the data of the secondary fluid of the condenser are disabled and the output data
of the secondary fluid of the evaporator are used as input data for the secondary
fluid of the condenser.
Additionally, the user can decide whether he wants to perform calculations

considering the influence of the connecting pipes: “accessories”. If the piping is
going to be considered in the calculation, their characteristics have to be defined
by clicking on the “Define Accessories” button.
The working refrigerant can be selected from a list at the upper right hand corner.
Information about the selected refrigerant can be displayed by clicking the "Info"
button.
Parametric Studies can be qualified by clicking on the check box located in the
upper left corner of the window . To select the parameters and
enter their values the "Parametric Studies" button has to be clicked. Once a
calculation variable has been selected as parameter, the corresponding field in
the main window is disabled, as it can be seen in the window where superheat
has been selected as parameter.
A graphical representation of the selected components for the unit is displayed at

the right hand side of the window. Components are highlighted once they have
been defined in order to provide visual information about the completeness of
definition of the unit. Piping is optional, it is not necessary for the calculations. All
the other components are necessary.
The "Default Values" button allows the user to restore the initial values shown
when the window was initially displayed.
All the input values can be stored in files with the extension .rcf (real cycle file).
The files can be restored by clicking on the "Open File" button.
When all the information has been entered the calculation can be performed by
clicking on the "Calculate" button. When calculations have been performed, the
"Last Results" button is activated. This button displays the results of the last
calculation performed.
70
6.1. Parameters
This window can be activated from the “Tools” option on the menu bar and it is
designed to allow an easy and fast selection of the parameters to be modified
throughout the parametric study to be performed. The parameters are selected
from a list. Once a parameter is selected, it will remain highlighted and it is
immediately inserted (with its units) into the grid below. Each selected parameter
can be deselected just by clicking above it again. All selected parameters can be
deleted by clicking on the "Delete All Parameters" button.
The parameters are grouped by components; the available parameters of each

component are displayed in the list when the corresponding radio button has
been activated.
New Calculation Cases can be added and removed by clicking the "Add Case"
and "Remove Case" buttons respectively.
71
filled in by entering the initial and final values and clicking the "Apply button".
The following window is shown when the working refrigerant is selected as

parameter and the corresponding cell in the grid is clicked. All the available
refrigerants are included in the list and can be selected by clicking on its name.
New Calculation Cases can be added and removed clicking the "Add Case" and
"Remove Case" buttons respectively.
filled upon entering the initial and final values and clicking the "Apply button".
72
When the option “N-dimensional Studies” is checked, the program generates all
the combinations for the different values of all parameters. For instance, if the
user activates the “N-dimensional Studies” with two parameters (Refrigerant
charge and Refrigerant) and three cases, the program solves nine cases in total.
The user selects three cases for Refrigerant:

- R22.
- R134a.
- R290 (propane).
And three cases for Refrigerant charge:

- 0.9 kg.
- 0.8 kg.
- 0.7 kg.
73
The program solves the following cases:
- R22 with 0.9 kg.

- R22 with 0.8 kg.
- R22 with 0.7 kg.
- R134a with 0.9 kg.
- R290(propane) with 0.9 kg.
74
6.2. Heat Exchanger Definition

This window is displayed after clicking the "Add Exchanger" button in the Working
Cycle's window.
The next fields have to be filled:
 Title: label that will identify the heat exchanger that is being defined. The
heat exchanger will be added with this name in the corresponding list of
the Working Cycle window.
 Type: Defines the HE modeling approach. User can select between
“Constant Evap/Cond Temperature” that merely sets a desired saturation
temperature in the cycle, “Total Area” which uses the Efficiency-NTU
approach assuming constant properties and heat transfer coefficients,
“Coil” and “Plates” which are detailed models of these two geometries with
better accuracy. Selection of the type is a decision of the user depending
in many factors like degree of accuracy required or information given by
the HE manufacturer.
 Secondary fluid: the fluid that will work as secondary fluid in the heat
exchanger can be selected from a list. If the fluid selected is brine, the
concentration of the additive or the desired freezing temperature has to be
given by the user. “Coil” model can only work with Air as secondary fluid.
Data of the selected secondary fluid can be modified by clicking the "Fluid
Data" button.
 Inlet Temperature: the temperature of the secondary fluid at the inlet of
the heat exchanger.
 Secondary Inlet Flow Rate-Outlet Temperature: The second boundary
condition of the secondary fluid can be Outlet temperature or Inlet Flow
Rate. If given one of the two, the program will calculate the other.
o Secondary Inlet Flow Rate: This value can be introduced as Flow
Rate or Face Velocity (in this case, flow rate is calculated internally
with the frontal area of the HE). The value can be given under actual
75
or standard conditions. This can be selected in the bottom left

checkbox.
o Outlet Temperature: User has to introduce the desired
temperature. User has to be care with values given air flow rates
lower than 0.5 m/s or higher than 10 m/s. These values are
unrealistic and can give convergence problems.
 Air Inlet Relative Humidity/Wet-Bulb Temperature: This is only
available when Air is the secondary fluid. The user gives the content of
water vapour in the inlet air by means of Relative Humidity or Wet Bulb
Temperature.
 Fan/Pump Definition: It corresponds with Fan Power when Air is selected
as secondary fluid. Otherwise, it corresponds with Pump Power.
Fan/Pump power is the electric consumption of this device, located on
secondary circuit of the heat Exchanger where it is installed. This option is
not available in constant temperature HX and total are HX. Also, for
detailed HX, it is possible to define this parameter with no constant
expressions as is explained in the next point.
 Efficiency: It is the fan/pump static efficiency; ratio between the fluid static
pumping energy and the electrical consumption of the fan/pump located in
the secondary circuit of the heat Exchanger where it is installed. This
option is not available in constant temperature HX and total are HX. Also,
for detailed HX, it is possible to define this parameter with no constant
expressions as is explained in the next point.
If the Outlet Temperature has been fixed, the mode of HE will be selected
depending on the difference between Inlet and Outlet Temperature. If Outlet
Temperature is higher than Inlet, the mode will be set to "Condenser". If Outlet
Temperature is lower than Inlet, the mode will be set to "Evaporator".
The "HE Data" button allows the user to define the geometry and data of the
exchanger. A different window will be displayed for each HE type.
76
6.2.1. Fan/Pump definition

With option it is possible to take into account the influence of the pumps and/or
fans in the working cycle to simulate. Based on data available by the user, these
elements are defined.
The definition of these elements is enabled with the Fan/Pump Definition dialogue
in the Heat Exchanger dialogue where it is installed.
This option is only available for the detailed Heat Exchangers (plates and coil
Heat Exchangers).
The user can save a fan/pump definition by clicking the “Save” button. It is also
possible to load a previously saved fan/pump definition by clicking the “Load”
button.
 To define the behavior of a Fan/Pump it is necessary its performance

curve for standard air density. For this purpose, on the Fan/Pump
Definition dialogue two options are available:
o By points: the user enters values for the Static Pressure (Fan) or
the Total Head (Pump) for different values of the independent
variable of correlation, Flow Rate (m3/h):
77
o By polynomial coefficients: the user enters directly the values of the

polynomial coefficients. Note that the coefficients are not
adimensional:
 For the evaluation of global COP it is necessary to take into account the
Fan/Pump, so it is required to define its energetic consumption. The
energetic consumption can be defined by Power consumption or
Efficiency. If the user has not data available is recommended to enter a
constant efficiency.
78
 For both variables there are two options:
o By points: the user enters values for the Electrical Power

Consumption (W) or the Efficiency (%) for different values of the
independent variable of correlation, Flow Rate (m3/h):
o By polynomial coefficients: the user enters directly the values of the

polynomial coefficients. Note that the coefficients are not
adimensional:
79
6.2.2. Modify Heat Exchanger

This window opens when the "View/Modify Heat Exchanger" button has been
clicked. All the exchangers defined by the user can be selected and modified.
When a heat exchanger has been selected it can be modified by clicking on the
"Modify" button.
After clicking the “Modify” button, the same window as “Add New HE” appears
except that now there is a “Delete” button (See figure).
The selected HE operating conditions and geometric data can be modified in this
window.
The selected exchanger can also be deleted by using the "Delete" button. It is
not possible to delete an exchanger which is selected as condenser or
evaporator in the cycle and any of its variables has been selected as parameter.
80
6.2.3. Constant Temperature Heat

Exchanger
The user goes to this window in order to define the first level in HE modeling, the
Constant Temperature Heat Exchanger. This HE merely sets the corresponding
saturation temperature. An additional option is to set the estimated pressure drop
(given in equivalent saturation temperature units) to calculate its effect in the
Cycle performance. User has to use this type of HE if he wants to evaluate
theoretical performance or for doing preliminary design.
The next fields have to be filled:
 Working Mode: User has to select between Evaporator and Condenser.

If previously, the secondary fluid inlet and outlet temperatures are given,
then the mode is automatically selected by the program.
 Condensation Temperature / Evaporation Temperature: User defines
condensation temperature if the HE mode is condenser or evaporation
temperature if the HE mode is evaporator. Condensation temperature is
defined at the bubble point and evaporation temperature is defined at the
dew point.
 Estimated Pressure Drop: User has to define the estimated pressure
drop in the HE based on experimental measurements or experience. The
pressure drop is given in equivalent saturation temperature drop. Internally
the program transforms in the correct value of pressure drop depending
on the refrigerant selected in the cycle.
81
6.2.4. Total Area Heat Exchanger

This is the second step in the HE modeling. This model uses the Efficiency-
Number of Transfer Units method in order to solve the HE performance. This
method is based in a number of hypotheses like constant properties of the fluid
through the HE and therefore constant heat transfer coefficients, so user has to
be care with the model applicability to real cases. The model is intended to be
used for pre-designing a unit or when the user is not interested in optimizing this
component.
The following fields have to be filled:
 Working Mode: User has to select between Evaporator and Condenser.

If previously, the secondary fluid inlet and outlet temperatures are given,
then the mode is automatically selected by the program.
 Heat Transfer Area: User has to give the heat transfer area of the HE.
This heat transfer area must be related to the overall heat transfer
coefficient. (i.e. the U value is calculated based on this area).
 Pressure Drop: the temperature variation due to the pressure drop.
 Heat Transfer Coefficient Correlation: Value of the Overall Heat
Transfer Coefficient of the Heat Exchanger. User can select to give a
constant value or dependent on heat flux (if refrigerant side thermal
resistance dominates) or secondary mass flow rate (if secondary side
thermal resistance dominates). The options are:
o Constant: a constant value for the heat transfer coefficient is
employed.
o U vs. Heat Flux: the heat transfer coefficient depends on the heat
flux in the heat exchanger.
82
o U vs. Secondary Fluid Mass Flow: the heat transfer coefficient

depends on the secondary fluid mass flow rate in the heat
exchanger.
 Correlation Coefficients: the correlation can be defined in two different
ways:
o By points: the user enters values for the heat transfer coefficient
for different values of the independent variable of the correlation.
The program interpolates the values by cubic splines.
o By polynomial coefficients: the user enters directly the values of
the polynomial coefficients. The user must enter the validity interval
for X values.
 Enhancement Factor: a multiplier for the heat transfer coefficient. This
value is intended to use for adjusting results to experiments. It cal also be
used to study the sensibility of the whole unit performance to the heat
transfer coefficient of this component.
The defined correlation can be plotted by clicking on the "Plot Graph" button.
It is also possible to save the defined heat exchanger in a file with the extension
".exc". The "Save Heat Exchanger" button displays the corresponding Save
window.
83
6.2.5. Coil Heat Exchanger

The coil heat exchanger is modeled upon considering a discretization in cells
throughout the refrigerant and secondary fluid paths, assuming one-dimensional
flow. The model takes into account heat transfer and pressure drop, with local
evaluation of the heat transfer coefficient and friction factor.
The following information about the heat exchanger configuration and topology
has to be filled to perform calculations:

condenser.
 Flow Arrangement: although the coil is an example of crossed-flow it is
considered that the coil works in co-current when the air and refrigerant
outlet are located in the same side of the heat exchanger and counter-
current when not.
 General Dimensions:
o Number of rows: the number of tube rows in the direction of the
air flow, specified in the picture with an “R”.
o Number of tubes per row: the number of tubes in each row of the
heat exchanger, specified in the picture with an “N”.
o Exchanger Width: finned tube length.
84
o Longit. Spacing: longitudinal spacing, the spacing between tube

rows, specified in the picture with an “L”.
o Transvers. Spacing: transversal spacing, the spacing between
tubes on the same row, specified in the picture with a “T”.
o Number of circuits: the heat exchanger's number of refrigerant
circuits.
 Input/Output Pressure Losses: evaluates the inlet/outlet pressure drop
in the refrigerant distributor. It is possible to set length and diameter of the
refrigerant distributor by clicking on the "Define Pressure Losses" button,
and finally handle an enhancement factor for the pressure loss.
 Tube Data:
o Tube Material: different materials can be selected for the tubes of
the heat exchanger. It is also possible to add new materials to a
database by clicking on the "Add" button, once the materials have
been added to the database they can be modified by clicking on the
"Modify" button.
o Size: the inner and outer diameters (in mm.) of the heat exchanger
have to be entered. The user has the option to select one of the
ACR annealed tubing dimensions as defined by ASTM standard
B280. If the tubing does not matches with the standard mentioned,
the user has the option to set its own values.
o Surface: The user can select between smooth surface or rifled
surface. If the user selects rifled surface there is an enhancement
in the refrigerant pressure drop and heat transfer.
 Fin Data:
o Thickness: the thickness of each fin.
o Fin Pitch: the fin pitch is the separation in between two fins plus
the thickness of a fin. The user can set the fin pitch parameter or
the fin density parameter.
o Fin Density: the longitudinal density of fins per tube, that is, the
number of fins per unit of length (fins per inch). The user could set
the fin density parameter or the fin pitch parameter.
o Fin Type: User can select between different geometries (Plain,
Wavy, Louvered and superslit). Air correlations are then selected
automatically to calculate these geometries.
o Fin material: different materials can be selected for the heat
exchanger's fins. It is also possible to add new materials to a
database by clicking on the "Add Fin Material" button. When the
by clicking on the "Modify Fin Material" button.
 Tube/Fin Contact Area.
 Heat Transfer Coefficient (HTC): several correlations for the HTC in
single-phase flow and two-phase flow are available for the refrigerant and
secondary fluid flows, these correlations can be selected by clicking on the
"Define Correlations" button.
 Pressure Drop: several correlations for the Pressure Drop in single-phase
flow and two-phase flow are available for the refrigerant and the air. These
correlations can be selected by clicking on the "Define Correlations"
button.
85

".exc". The "Save Heat Exchanger" button displays the corresponding saving
window.
86
6.2.5.1. Coil Pressure Losses

This window defines the Capillary Tubes which distribute the refrigerant among
the different circuits.
The following parameters have to be defined:
 Length: the length in m. of the capillary tubes.

 Diameter: the diameter in mm. of the capillary tubes.
 Enhancement Factor: a multiplier of the pressure losses in the capillary
tubes.
The Capillary Tubes are positioned at the exchanger's inlet when the coil works
as an evaporator (normal mode) and at the outlet when it works as a condenser
(reversed mode in reversible units).
87
6.2.5.2. Coil circuitry

This window defines a detailed circuitry for a coil heat exchanger.
The window is divided in three main areas.
The left area defines the basic geometry of the Coil, the user have to introduce
the following data:
 Number of Rows: These are the number of tube rows in the air direction
 Number of Tubes per Row: Defines how many tubes are in each row.
 Entry Plane: Defines the plane where the inlet and outlet
header/distributor are located. The front plane is what the user sees in the
center area where by convention the air goes from left to right.
 Distribution: Use can select Inline tubes or staggered tubes arrangement.
The above figure shows an example of “Staggered arrangement”.
 Circuit Pattern: The user have to choose between the following options:
o U Pattern: This option generates an automatic circuitry following
what is known as U pattern (See Example Below).
o Z Pattern: This option generates an automatic circuitry following
what is known as Z pattern (See Example Below).
o Custom Pattern: This option allows the user to build its own circuit.
The left area of the dialog is then activated and can be used.
 Number of Circuits: This data only must be given in the case of automatic
circuitry (Previous selection of U Pattern or Z Pattern). The user gives how
many circuits are divided the main refrigerant flow.
88
 Flow Arrangement: This data only must be given in the case of automatic
circuitry (Previous selection of U Pattern or Z Pattern). The user must
select the type of arrangement in order to build the automatic circuitry.
After the user has introduced all the data, he has to push “Apply changes” and
then the display area will show the coil geometry selected by the user. The
user can see the automatic circuitry generated in the case he has selected “U
pattern” or “Z Pattern” or a free area to draw its own circuit in the case he has
selected “Custom Pattern”.
This is an example of “U Pattern”:
89
And this is an example of “Z Pattern”:
The center area displays the circuitry designer, showing the circuits distribution
and the air input direction.
Within this area of the window the user could create, delete, modify or copy
circuits to create a detailed model of a heat exchanger.
Just below the circuitry designer, there’s a small area that will show status and
error messages when defining a circuitry.
The right area contains the controls used to perform the different actions in the
circuitry setup process. A short legend explains all the possible symbols of the
circuit designer, each one of them detailed as follows:
Connected Tube: A tube is considered connected when:

- Has input and output connections.
- Has only input connections and is marked as output.
- Has only output connections and is marked as input.
Disconnected Tube: A tube is considered disconnected if it has no connections.
Erased Tube: An erased tube is not considered in the circuits. It is a non-existing

tube.
Incomplete Tube: A tube is considered incomplete when:

90
- It has only output connections, but its input plane does not match the
exchanger input plane, so the tube can’t be marked as an input.
- It has only input connections, but its output plane does not match the
exchanger output plane, so the tube can’t be marked as an output.
Front Tube: A tube that has its open end in the exchanger front plane.
Back Tube: A tube that has its open end in the exchanger back plane.
In/Out Tube: A single tube circuit with the refrigerant flowing from the exchanger
entry plane to the exchanger exit plane. This kind of tubes is only allowed when
the exchanger entry and exit planes are different.
Selected Tube: A tube inside a circuit marked to delete or copy.
Front Connection: A connection between two tubes joined in the exchanger front
plane.
Back Connection: A connection between two tubes joined in the exchanger back
plane.
Circuit Operations
The user can start defining his own circuits from preset patterns, or selecting the
option “Custom Pattern” in the left area of the dialog, and pressing the “Apply
Changes” button.
Once the “custom” mode is selected, the circuit operations area becomes
enabled.
Each one of the circuit operations is detailed as follows:
Add Connections: After pressing this button, click in a tube to start adding
connections, and continue clicking other tubes to make a circuit. Each pair of
tubes will be connected alternating the front and back planes, starting on the heat
exchanger entry plane (selected on the dialog left area).
Once the circuit is finished, click on the “Apply Operations” button to save the
changes. If the exit plane of the last tube does not match the heat exchanger exit
plane, the last tube of the circuit will remain “incomplete”. Otherwise the last tube
of the circuit will be marked as “out” and the first will be marked as “in” showing
the refrigerant direction.
Note that the exchanger exit plane is set when the first circuit is defined. The exit
plane of the last tube will be set as the exchanger exit plane.
91
Delete Connections: After pressing this button, click on the tube where the
connection you want to delete starts. All the connections starting in this tube will
be highlighted. Click on any end tube of the highlighted connections to delete it.
Copy Circuit: After pressing this button, click on the input tube of the circuit you
want to copy. The tubes and the connections of the selected circuit will be
highlighted. Note that every connection reachable from the input tube will be
considered as a part of the circuit, including the circuit splitting.
Paste Circuit: Press this button and then select any tube on the circuitry designer
to paste a circuit copied before. This operation will be successful only if it’s
possible to paste the circuit beginning at the selected tube.
Delete tube: Press this button and the select any disconnected tube to mark it
as “deleted”.
Restore Tube: Press this button and select any deleted tube to restore it again.
Apply Operations: Save the last changes you have made in the circuitry, or
finish the current action (like creating a circuit).
The program makes here the circuitry validation, and completes the circuits
marking its valid inputs and outputs.
Cancel Changes: Cancel the current operation, or discard the last changes.
HOW TO JOIN 2 CIRCUITS:
Press the button “Add Connections”, and start adding connections to a new
circuit. When the circuit is finished, press the “Apply Operations” button to save
the circuit.
Repeat the same actions to create a second circuit.
To join the two circuits, press again the “Add Connections” button, and select a
tube of the first circuit, and then a tube of the second one. Note that the output
plane of the first tube and the input plane of the second must match to be a valid
connection.
HOW TO SPLIT A CIRCUIT:
Press the button “Add Connections”, and start adding connections to a new
circuit. When the circuit is finished, press the “Apply Operations” button to save
the circuit.
To split a circuit press the button “Add Connections” and select as initial tube one
of the tubes of the circuit. Continue adding connections from this tube. Press the
“Apply Operations” when the splitting is finished.
92
HOW TO REVERSE A CIRCUIT:
It is possible to reverse a circuit by clicking the “Reverse Circuitry” button. After

confirming, the flow direction of the refrigerant will be reversed. The “In Tube” will
be the “Out Tube”, and the “Out Tube” will be the “In Tube” after reversing.
For “U” or “Z” patterns, the flow arrangement will change from “Co-Current” to
“Counter-Current”, and vice versa.
If the “Entry plane” changes (because the entry plane of the new “In Tube” is
different from the previous one) it is also changed.
This is an example of a heat exchanger with 7 rows and 11 tubes per row with 1
circuit. The entry plane is the front one (tube number 11) and the exit plane is the
back one (tube number 67). The flow arrangement is Co-current.
When the user reverses the circuitry by clicking the “Reverse Circuitry” button,
the “In Tube” is changed from tube number 11 to tube number 67. The Entry
Plane is changed to Back Plane (due to this is the entry plane of tube number
67). The “Out Tube” is changed from tube number 67 to tube number 11. Finally,
the flow arrangement changes from “Co-current” to “Counter-current”.
93
94
HOW TO PRINT A CIRCUIT:
Only the tubes and connections that are visible on the screen can be printed.
When the users click the “Print Graph” button, the following window is shown:
The window can be resized and the circuitry can be rotated by clicking the
“Rotate” button. That way, the user can customize the print window for including
the maximum number of tubes.
95
The previous figure shows the resized window for displaying all the tubes.
96
The following figure shows the effect of clicking the “Rotate” button.
97
6.2.6. Plates Heat Exchanger

The plate heat exchanger is modeled considering a discretization in cells
throughout the refrigerant and secondary fluid paths, assuming one-dimensional
flow. The model takes into account heat transfer and pressure drop, with local
evaluation of the heat transfer coefficient and friction factor.

condenser.
 Flow Arrangement: the exchanger can work in co-current if the refrigerant
and secondary flows flow in the same direction or counter-current, if they
flow in opposite directions.
 Input/Output Pressure Losses: the pressure drop due to the distributors
and ports which are located at the inlet or at the outlet of the heat
exchanger.
 Total Number of plates (including external plates). This number must
be even.
 Double Refrigerant Circuit at partial load: Double-circuit system
(Dualaced system), used to partial load or for using two refrigerants fluids
with a single secondary fluid. The secondary fluid uses half of the channels
and each refrigerant fluid uses a quarter of the total number of channels.
 Plate Material: different materials can be selected for the plates of the
heat exchanger. It is also possible to add new materials to a database by
98
clicking on the "Add" button, once the materials have been added to the
database they can be modified by clicking on the "Modify" button.
 Geometric Data:
o HPCD: Horizontal Port Center Distance, the horizontal distance
between the two centers of the ports. See HPCD in the adjacent
figure.
o VPCD: Vertical Port Center Distance, the vertical distance between
the two centers of the ports. See VPCD in the adjacent figure.
o Port diameter. Inner port diameter, see PD in the adjacent figure.
o Plate Pitch: the separation distance between two plates plus the
plate thickness. See PP in the adjacent figure.
o Channel Type: the type of angle of the channel corrugation, H for
high corrugation angle, which produces high heat transfer and high
pressure drop, L for low corrugation angle, which produces7 low
heat transfer and low pressure drop, and M for an intermediate
angle.
Tip:
The plate area is calculated from the above data using this equation:
Lplate=(VPCD-PD)
Wplate=(HPDC+PD+0.015)
Aplate= Lplate * Wplate *1.17
that is the lenght and width of the plate is inferred from the data that normally is
given in PHE catalogues. If the user knows the exact value of the plate then the
values of the VPDC, HPCD and PD should be given in consequence to math the
plate area using the equation described above.

flow and two-phase flow are available for the refrigerant and secondary
fluid flows, these correlations can be selected by clicking on the "Define
Correlations" button.
window.
99
6.2.6.1. Plates Pressure Losses

This window defines the ports and distribution orifices which are located at the
inlet and outlet of the plate heat exchanger.
 Port Diameter: the port diameter in mm.

 Port Enhancement Factor: a multiplier for the pressure losses in the
ports.
 Distributor Orifice Diameter: the diameter in mm. of the distributor orifice
which distributes the refrigerant among the different channels of the heat
exchanger.
 Distributor Orifice Enhancement Factor: a multiplier for the pressure
losses in the distributor orifice.
100
The ports can be considered for the calculation of the refrigerant and secondary
fluid flow. The distributor orifice can also be considered in the calculation of the
refrigerant flow because its purpose is to distribute correctly the refrigerant among
the different channels; it is located at the exchanger's inlet when it works as an
evaporator (normal mode) and at the outlet when it works as a condenser
(reverse mode in reversible units).
101
6.2.7. Catalogue Heat Exchanger

“Shell and tube” and” Double tube” heat exchangers may be studied by means of
this dialog box. This is chosen through the combo box “Heat Exchanger Type”.
Both, condensers or evaporators can be studied.
Refrigerant Side must also be specified: Shell or Tube depending on the case.
Shell and tube heat exchangers may be modelled with two levels of accuracy
which can be selected in the general dialog box selecting the “Standard Rating”
or the “Application Ratings” button. The first model takes into account heat
transfer and pressure drop, with global evaluation of the heat transfer coefficient
and friction factor. The second one permits to interpolate the UA value by using
the HE behaviour map previously introduced by the user. The Application Ratings
could be used when the catalogue manufacturer offer a map with the behaviour
of the HE. The procedure of calculations, if “Application Ratings” button is
selected, is explained at section “Double Tube or Shell and Tube Heat
Exchangers Simplified Model” of this manual.
The refrigerant must be stated in the corresponding “Refrigerant” combo box.
The secondary fluid is forced when a determined standard rating point is selected.
It may be modified when user defined conditions are chosen.
102
Standard Rating:
The user may use different rating points to characterize the heat exchanger
behavior:
 Application:
o User defined– e.g. Catalogue conditions
 Condensation bubble temperature, secondary inlet
temperature, rate capacity and secondary pressure drop
must be defined. Secondary outlet temperature or secondary
inlet flow rate must be defined depending on user selection.
o Condition rating 1
o Condition rating 4 (only available for the condenser case)
In the last four cases, only rate capacity and secondary pressure drop must
be introduced. The other variables are imposed by ARI standard number.
 Conditions:
The standard rating states the condensation or evaporation temperatures
depending on the case, and the entering and leaving water temperatures
following ARI standards rating conditions.
ARI 450-99.
Rating Saturated Minimum Temperature Temperature

Condition condensing actual of entering of leaving
temperature temperature water (ºC) water (ºC)
of the of the
entering entering
refrigerant refrigerant
(ºC) vapour (ºC)
1 40,6 51.7 23.9 35.0
2 40,6 51.7 29.4 35.0
3 29,4 40.6 10.0 21.1
4 37,8 48.9 21.1 29.4
ARI 480-2001
Rating Liquid Entering Leaving Saturated Liquid

conditions being liquid liquid refrigerant refrigerant
cooled temperature temperature temperature entering
(ºC) (ºC) leaving the expansion
evaporator device
(ºC) (ºC)
1 Water 12 6.7 1.7 37.7
2 30% -6.7 -9.4 -15 37.7
ethylene
glycol
3 Water 20 16 6.1 43.3
103
Application Ratings:
The user must fill both tables shown in the figure with the available information of
the HE behaviour from catalogue.
NOTE: It is advisable that the initial value of Sec. Flow Rate is set to zero in order to limit the
necessary interpolations to obtain a correct calculation of the HE.
104
It is possible to check if the introduced values are correct with the button “Plot”.
When plot bottom is pressed, a new window appears with different options related
to the diagram management, as the following figures show.
105
6.2.8. Tubes & Wire Heat Exchanger

Tubes & Wire Heat Exchanger Model is an evolution of the Coil Heat Exchanger
Model working for natural convection in the air side. Discretization and solving
strategies is the same as used in Tube and Fin Coil and is described in section
2.7 of this manual. Specific correlations for natural convection in the air side is
used for this model.
Main window of this heat exchanger is presented below.
condenser. User has to select the right option.
 General Dimensions
System coordinate defined for this heat exchanger is defined using
gravity direction that defines height of the heat exchanger (Z axis). Width
of the heat exchanger is defined on the direction of refrigerant tubes (X
axis) and last direction is the heat exchanger depth (Y axis) that is
perpendicular to X and Y axis. In the window, a projection of the heat
exchanger is shown in the plane X-Z
o Number of Rows: Number of tubes in Z direction (depth). In the
current version of the software only one row can be defined.
o Number of tubes per Row: Number of refrigerant tubes in Z
direction (Height).
106
o Exchanger Width: Tube dimension without including bends.

o Transversal Spacing: Dimension between two adjacent tubes.
o Number of circuits: Refrigerant inlet flow is divided in the number
of circuits given in this box. In the current version of the software,
only one circuit is allowed.
 Double Wire: Checking this options makes that the heat exchanger has
wires in both sides of the tubes (front plane and back plane). Without this
option checked, there is only wires in one side of the tubes grid.
 Input/Output Pressure Losses: evaluates the inlet/outlet pressure drop
in the refrigerant distributor. It is possible to set length and diameter of the
refrigerant distributor by clicking on the "Define Pressure Losses" button,
and finally handle an enhancement factor for the pressure loss.
 Tube Data:
o Tube Material: different materials can be selected for the tubes of
the heat exchanger. It is also possible to add new materials to a
database by clicking on the "Add" button, once the materials have
been added to the database they can be modified by clicking on the
"Modify" button.
o Size: the inner and outer diameters (in mm.) of the heat exchanger
have to be entered. The user has the option to select one of the
ACR annealed tubing dimensions as defined by ASTM standard
B280. If the tubing does not matches with the standard mentioned,
the user has the option to set its own values.
o Surface: The user can select between smooth surface or rifled
surface. If the user selects rifled surface there is an enhancement
in the refrigerant pressure drop and heat transfer.
 Wire Data:
o Diameter: Wire Diameter.
o Wire Pitch: the wire pitch is the separation between two wires
measured at the wires centers. The user can set the fin pitch
parameter or the fin density parameter.
o Wire Density: the density of wires in a row, that is, the number of
wires per unit of length (wires per inch). The user could set the wire
density parameter or the wire pitch parameter.
o Wire material: different materials can be selected for the heat
exchanger's wires. It is also possible to add new materials to a
database by clicking on the "Add Wire Material" button. When the
by clicking on the "Modify Wire Material" button.
flow and two-phase flow are available for the refrigerant and the air. These
correlations can be selected by clicking on the "Define Correlations"
button.
107

window.
108
6.2.8.1. Coil Pressure Losses

This window defines the Capillary Tubes which distribute the refrigerant among
the different circuits.
 Length: the length in m. of the capillary tubes.

 Diameter: the diameter in mm. of the capillary tubes.
 Enhancement Factor: a multiplier of the pressure losses in the capillary
tubes.
The Capillary Tubes are positioned at the exchanger's inlet when the coil works
as an evaporator (normal mode) and at the outlet when it works as a condenser
(reversed mode in reversible units).
109
6.2.9. Define Correlations

This window allows selecting different correlations for the local Heat Transfer
Coefficient and Pressure Drop for the different flows (refrigerant and secondary
fluid). These correlations have been taking from the Literature and have been
adapted for their use in typical refrigeration equipment. The window is structured
to let the user select the correlations for the local Heat Transfer Coefficient and
for the Pressure Drop. In the upper part of the window the correlations for the
Heat Transfer Coefficient can be selected from different lists, there are different
correlations for the refrigerant as well as for the secondary fluid. Regarding the
refrigerant, different correlations have to be considered for the Single-Phase flow
and for the Two-Phase flow. The correlations also depend on the type of
exchanger which has been selected and on the working mode (evaporation or
condensation). In the lower part of the window, the correlations for the Pressure
Drop can be selected as well. As in the Heat Transfer Coefficient correlations,
there are different correlations for the refrigerant and secondary fluids which
depend on the type of exchanger selected.
110
The following correlations are available for each type of heat exchanger and are
described in next section. Those marked with the symbol ‘*’ are selected by
default when a new HE is created and are the recommended by IMST-ART
researchers:
 COIL:
o Heat Transfer Coefficient:
Refrigerant Secondary Fluid

Evaporation Condensation Single-phase Single-phase
Constant Constant Constant Constant
Cooper Shah Proprietary * Chi Chuan Wang
VDI FC Cavallini * Proprietary *
VDI NB Dobson-Chato Granryd
VDI NB +FC* TEC
WTU
o Pressure Drop:

Chisholm Chisholm Petukhov Chi Chuan Wang
Friedel * Friedel * Colebrook Proprietary *
Haaland Granryd
Churchill *
 PLATE HEAT EXCHANGER:

Cooper Proprietary * Proprietary * Proprietary *
Proprietary1 *
Proprietary2
o Pressure Drop:

Proprietary * Proprietary * Proprietary * Proprietary *
111
 MICROCHANNEL:

Proprietary * Proprietary * Proprietary * KB
o Pressure Drop:

Proprietary * Proprietary * Churchill * KB
 TUBES AND WIRE:

VDI NB +FC* Cavallini * Proprietary * MH
o Pressure Drop:

Constant Constant Constant -
Friedel * Friedel * Churchill * -
112
6.2.10. Correlations description
6.2.10.1. Correlations for friction factor coefficients.
Two-phase flow friction pressure drop in round tubes.
Friedel correlation:
From: Friedel, L., “New friction pressure drop correlations for upward, horizontal
and downward two-phase pipe flow”, presented at the HTFS Symposium, Oxford,
1979. (Hoechst AG Reference 372217/24 698).
The wide known Friedel correlation became an alternative model to the

Martinelli’s correlation for the pressure drop. This classical correlation has a good
fit for smooth tubes, and IMST-ART researchers recommends it, moreover, it is
easy to handle by the user: it needs a mass flow rate, a diameter and a saturation
pressure as input values. The correlation has an influence depending on Fr
number, We number, vapour quality and physical properties.
Chisholm correlation:
From: Chisholm, D., “Pressure gradients due to friction during the flow of
evaporating two-phase mixtures in smooth tubes and channels”, Int. J. Heat Mass
Transfer, 1973, 16, 347.
The wide known Chisholm correlation became an alternative model to the

Martinelli’s correlation for the pressure drop. It employs the Chisholm parameter
Y2, similar to the Martinelli’s parameter (X2), but for the vapour and the liquid
flowing alone, instead of the vapour and the liquid phases. This model modifies
the Y parameter with several factors which are function of Re, mass flux and
vapour quality.
Tip:
For evaporation, there are many factors that induce to use Friedel correlation
instead of Chisholm one. The quoted paper of 1979 by Friedel reports
comparisons with a set of 25000 data with a quite good prediction. Moreover, our
bibliography research and our own work remark a better fit of pressure drops with
Friedel model. Therefore, IMST-ART proposes the Friedel correlation by default.
The different approach to the physical phenomena by the two related correlations
justifies the inclusion of them in the software.
113
Tip:
Although Chisholm correlation was obtained for evaporation two-phase flow, it

shows quite good results with predicting pressure losses due to friction, and
therefore is included in IMST-ART. However, Friedel correlation was correlated
for both evaporating and condensing, and IMST-ART recommends it as
correlation by default, instead of Chisholm one.
Two-phase flow friction pressure drop in microchannel.

Due to the recent implementation of the microchannel model in IMST-ART, the
availability of specific correlations for this kind of channel is still under
development. Thus, it has been assumed that correlations for macrochannel
(round tube) are valid.
Proprietary *:
IMST-ART automatically uses the correlation “Friedel” used for round tube. The
only difference is that the hydraulic diameter of the corresponding channel is used
as the characteristic length used is instead of the diameter of the round tube.
Two-phase flow friction pressure drop in plates.

Proprietary *:
Here IMST-ART modifies the Friedel correlation by changing the calculation of

the originally proposed single-phase friction factor in tubes by one corresponding
to single-phase friction factor in plates.
Tip:
See tips for smooth tubes.
Single-phase flow friction factor in round tubes.

Petukhov correlation:
From: Petukhov, B. S., “Heat transfer and friction in turbulent pipe flow with
variable physical properties”, 1970, Advances in heat transfer, vol. 6, Hartnett
and Irvine, Academic Press, New York.
Here IMST-ART discerns between three flow regimes: laminar, transition and
turbulent. For laminar flow, it uses the simple and wide known correlation of
Hagen-Poiseuille; for turbulent flow it uses the model by Petukhov; and for the
114
transition regime it employs a linear interpolation between the two limit values,
laminar and turbulent.
Note that this model not includes any modification for variable physical properties.
Colebrook correlation:
Historically, the friction factor of a commercial pipe in the turbulent region was
calculated using an empiricism equation which is known as the Colebrook-White
formula.
Here IMST-ART discerns between three flow regimes: laminar, transition and
turbulent. For laminar flow, it uses the simple and wide known correlation of
Hagen-Poiseuille; for turbulent flow it uses the model by Petukhov; and for the
transition regime it employs a linear interpolation between the two limit values,
laminar and turbulent.
Haaland correlation:
From: Haaland, S. E., “Simple and Explicit Formulas for the Friction Factor in
Turbulent Flow”, 1983, Trans. ASME J. Fluids Engineering, vol. 105, No. 3, pp
89-90.
Haaland Correlation is an explicit representation of the moody diagram The use

of this equation yields results comparable to the implicit Colebrook equation.
IMST-ART uses the strategy commented above when the flow is in the laminar
or transition region.
Churchill correlation:
From: Churchill, S. W., “Friction-Factor Equation Spans All Fluid-Flow Regimes”,

1977, Chemical Engineering, pp 91-92.
Churchill devised a simple expression that represents the friction factor for the
laminar, transition, and turbulent flow regimes. This equation has the added
advantage that the friction factor for the transition region between laminar and
turbulent flow is a continuous function of the Reynolds number and smoothly
bridges the gap between the laminar and turbulent regimes. The Reynolds
number limit on laminar flow is implicit in Churchill´s representation.
115
Single-phase flow friction factor in microchannel.

Proprietary *:
IMST-ART automatically uses the correlation “Churchill” used for round tube. The
Single-phase flow friction factor in plates.

Proprietary *:
The correlation for single-phase friction factor in plates used in IMST-ART has
the same form as the common correlations for flow inside of tubes. It correlates
the single-phase friction factor against Reynolds number, by adjusting the
coefficients and the Reynolds ranges in accordance with plate heat exchangers.
This correlation also includes a correction factor that takes into account the
influence of the corrugation angle for the corrugated plates.
Single-phase flow friction in round tubes: Air side.
Chi Chuan Wang
Plain fin, wet air
From: Chi-Chuan Wang, Yur-Tsai Lin, Chi-Juan Lee, “An airside correlation for
plain fin-and-tube heat exchangers in wet conditions”, International Journal of
Heat and Mass Transfer 43 (2000) 1869-1872.
Plain fin, dry air
From: Chi-Chuan Wang, Kuan-Yu Chi, Chun-Jung Chang, “Heat transfer and
friction characteristics of plain fin-and-tube heat exchangers”, part I-II,
International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 43 (2000), 2681-2691/2693-
2700.
116
Louver fin, wet air
From: Chi-Chuan Wang, Yur-Tsai Lin, Chi-Juan Lee, “Heat and momentum
transfer for compact louvered fin-and-tube heat exchangers in wet conditions”,
International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 43 (2000) 3443-3452.
Louver fin, dry air
International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 43 (2000) 3443-3452.
Wavy fin, dry air
From: Chi-Chuan Wang, Young-Ming Hwang, Yur-Tsai Lin, “Empirical

correlations for heat transfer and flow friction characteristics of herringbone wavy
fin-and-tube heat exchangers”, International Journal of Refrigeration 25 (2002)
673–680.
Superlit fin
From: Yuan-Jan Du, Chi-Chuan Wang, “An experimental study of the airside
performance of the Superslit fin-and-tube heat exchangers”, International Journal
of Heat and Mass Transfer 43 (2000), 4475-4482.
Fin geometry and humidity conditions determinate the correlation to be used. All
correlations considered (and its references) are mentioned above. Wang et al.
present friction and heat transfer coefficient correlations for these situations in
various articles, always taking into account humidity conditions.
Granryd correlation:
From: Granryd et al, “Refrigerating Engineering, part I”, 1999, 8, 40-44.
It can be used for predicting air side heat transfer coefficients for fin and tube heat
exchangers. It is based in a series of experiments where different geometric
parameters were tested. The air heat transfer coefficient is calculated as the
average (taking into account the ratio of the fins and tubes areas) of the air heat
transfer coefficient considering only the fins and considering only the tubes.
Range of validity:
Geometric parameter Range of validity

Fin spacing (mm) 3 - 16
Fin thickness (mm) 1.2
Length of individual fin in the direction of air flow (mm) 100-300
Number of fins in the direction of air flow 1-3
117
Tube diameter (mm) 0-35

Tube spacing transverse to air flow (mm) 33.3-100
Tube spacing in direction of air flow (mm) St = Sl
Number of tubes in individual fin in direction of air flow 1-3
Tube arrangement Staggered, in-line
Proprietary *:
IMST-ART modifies the known correlation given by Chi-Chuan Wang et al.

depending on the geometry fin and humidity conditions. The difference between
the Adapted Chi-Chuan Wang correlation and the original one is basically the
fitting of the constants to adapt the predicted heat transfer to the actual one with
more accuracy.
Single-phase flow friction in microchannel: Air side.
KB correlation:
From: Kim, M.H., Bullard, C., “Air-side thermal hydraulic performance of multi-
louvered fin aluminum heat exchangers”, International Journal of Refrigeration
(2002), 25:390-400.
The correlation is developed with an experimental campaign on the air-side heat

transfer and pressure drop characteristics for multi-louvered fin and flat tube heat
exchangers. 45 heat exchangers were tested with different louver angles (15–
29°), fin pitches (1.0,1.2, 1.4 mm) and tube depths (16, 20, 24 mm). The tests
were conducted for air-side Reynolds numbers of 100–600, at a constant tube-
side water flow rate of 0.32 m3/h. The inlet temperatures of the air and water for
heat exchangers were 21 and 45 °C, respectively.
Single-phase flow friction in Tubes and Wires: Air side.

Convection in this kind of heat exchangers is considered as free convection
since is the most common application. Therefore, pressure drop in the air side
is not evaluated for these heat exchangers.
118
6.2.10.2. Condensing heat transfer

Round Tubes.
Dobson-Chato correlation:
From: Dobson, M. K., Chato, J. C., Condensation in smooth horizontal tubes. J.

Heat Transfer, 1998, 120, pp 193-213.
It can be used for predicting heat transfer coefficients in film condensation inside
horizontal smooth tubes. This correlation is applied in IMST-ART only to predict
heat transfer coefficients in annular flow pattern. It’s a Dittus-Boelter type with a
correction by a function of Martinelli parameter. It’s a quite simple correlation that
offers a good prediction, tested with a wide range of experimental data bank.
Dobson and Chato have an extended correlation for stratified flow pattern, but
this complex correlation is not available in IMST-ART.
Range of validity:
Mass flux > 500 kg/m2·s, or mass flux <5500 kg/m2·s and Fr > 20, where Fr is the
Froude number. For other conditions it becomes in a different flow pattern, and
then the results obtained can be far to the reality.
TEC correlation:
From: J. El Hajal, J.R. Thome, A. Cavallini, “Condensation in horizontal tubes,

part 1-2”, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 46 (2003) 3349–
3363/3365-3387.
It can be used for condensation inside horizontal plain tubes, based on simplified
flow structures of the flow regimes. Firstly it uses a new version of a two-phase
flow pattern map, originally developed by Kattan et al. [J. Heat Transfer 120
(1998) 140]. Also includes the effect of liquid–vapor interfacial roughness on heat
transfer. The model predicts local condensation heat transfer coefficients for the
following flow regimes: annular, intermittent, stratified-wavy, fully stratified and
mist flow. The model resorts to very few empirical constants and exponents
compared to other previous methods.
Range of validity:
mass velocities from 24 to 1022 kg/(m2·s), vapour qualities from 0.03 to 0.97,
reduced pressures from 0.02 to 0.80, tube internal diameters from 3.1 to 21.4
mm. and Pr from 0.02 to 0.8.
119
Shah correlation:
From: Shah, M. M., “A general correlation for heat transfer during film
condensation inside pipes”, I. Journal Heat Mass Transfer, 1979, Vol 22, pp 547-
556.
It’s a simple dimensionless correlation for film condensation, valid for horizontal,
vertical and inclined smooth tubes. This correlation was developed by the author
from an analogy of his correlation for boiling. It uses a correction function of the
heat transfer coefficient considering that only the liquid phase flows by the tube.
The correction function depends on reduced pressure and vapour quality. It’s
easy to handle and gives a quite good approximation to reality in annular flow
pattern.
Range of validity:
3 ≤ mass velocity / (m/s) ≤ 300.
Mass flux: from 10.8 to 1600 kg/m2·s.
Reduced pressure: from 0.002 to 0.44.
Tube diameter: from 7 to 40 mm.
Prandtl number for the liquid
Cavallini correlation:
From: Cavallini, A., et al., “In-tube condensation of halogenated refrigerants”,

ASHRAE Transactions: Research 2002, Winter meeting, 4507.
This recent predicting model agrees very well with different sources of data and
a wide set of experiments from diverse authors. This correlation is valid for
condensation inside horizontal smooth tubes, mainly for halogenated
refrigerants. It’s one of the most estimated correlations for condensing
refrigerants. The model distinguishes between three regions of flow pattern:
annular, annular-stratified and stratified or slug. The flow pattern, according with
the authors, has a hard influence on the heat transfer coefficient and may not be
neglected. It’s a quite complex model which uses some other correlations for
correlate small details of the physical phenomena and uses a large number of
variables (flow properties, physical properties, vapour quality, geometric
parameters, etc). The use of this model without an appropriate software module
of calculation may almost become impossible.
At first, the model runs suitably well for halogenated refrigerants and with inside
tube diameters greater than 3mm.
Tip:
All correlations for condensation are checked by the IMST-ART designers in

many different working conditions. Moreover, the choosing of those correlations
is the result of a hard and wide research and investigation of the IMST Group.
Although all those correlations agrees quite well with the reality, we recommend
to use the correlation given by default.
120
If the user requires a simple correlation in annular flow, easy to handle, we

recommend the Shah correlation, and we recommend the Cavallini correlation
for high accuracy working with halogenated refrigerants, but with more complex
handling.
Microchannel.
Proprietary *:
IMST-ART automatically uses the correlation “Cavallini” used for round tube. The
Plates.
Proprietary *:
IMST-ART modifies the known correlation for condensing inside tubes given by
Shah for using it in plates (A general correlation for heat transfer during film
condensation inside pipes, Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer. 1979, 22, pp 547-556).
The difference between the Adapted Shah correlation and the original one is
basically the fitting of the constants to adapt the predicted heat transfer coefficient
from tube condensers to plate condensers.
6.2.10.3. Boiling heat transfer.
Round Tubes.
Cooper correlation:
From: Cooper, M. G., “Saturation nucleate pool boiling: a simple correlation”, 1st
UK National Conference on Heat Transfer, 1984, vol. 2, pp 785-793.
It’s one of the most widely used correlations. Between 1982 and 1984 Cooper
reviews existing boiling correlations. He finds that the physical properties for a
given substance can be related with the logarithm of the reduced pressure. Thus,
the correlation uses the heat flux and the roughness parameter to correlate, with
the reduced pressure and the molecular weight, the heat transfer coefficient for
121
the substance. This correlation can be used for pool boiling. For nucleate flow
boiling it can be used too, but probably with appreciable error for working
conditions far from pool boiling ones, i.e., for high mass fluxes, for example. Their
accuracy is limited for flow boiling because it not uses surface parameters and
do not takes into account effect of vapour quality. It’s not recommended for using
in forced convective flow boiling.
VDI FC correlation:
From: VDI Heat Atlas, VDI-Verlag GmbH, Düsseldorf 1993.
This correlation offers a good estimation of heat transfer coefficient in forced

convective flow boiling conditions for smooth horizontal tubes, which are most
often used in heat exchangers. The correlation uses a heat transfer coefficient
value as reference, equal to the coefficient for the saturated liquid flowing alone
in the tube calculated from Gnielinski correlation. This correlation has a correction
factor for the reference value as function of both gas only and liquid only heat
transfer coefficients, vapour quality and density ratio.
Range of validity:
Density ratio (liquid over vapour): from 3.5 to 1500.
Tested tube diameter: from 6 to 25 mm.
The values of calculated heat transfer coefficient are interpolated respect to the
quality for values lesser than 0.05 with liquid only heat transfer coefficient, and
for values greater than 0.95 with gas only heat transfer coefficient.
VDI NB correlation:
This correlation offers a good estimation of heat transfer coefficient in nucleate

flow boiling conditions for both horizontal and vertical smooth tubes. It assumes
a correction factor for a reference value of heat transfer coefficient, which is a
function of heat flux, reduced pressure, tube diameter, tube roughness, mass flux
and vapour quality. This is a quite complex function that covers a wide range of
conditions. The reference value of heat transfer coefficient is obtained from a
correlation for pool boiling. Here in IMST-ART, it uses the correlation given by
Gorenflo (1993), also in VDI Heat Atlas, which is recommended by the authors.
Range of validity:
Wide range of substances: inorganic fluids, halocarbons, hydrocarbons,
cryogenic fluids, etc.
Maximum mass flux tested: 4500 kg/m2·s.
Roughness: from 0.05 to 5 µm (DIN), for both horizontal and vertical tubes.
Reduced pressure: from 0.001 to 0.985 for vertical tubes, from 0.005 to 0.4 for
horizontal tubes.
Tested tube diameter: from 1 to 32 mm for vertical tubes, from 4 to 25 mm for
horizontal tubes.
122
VDI NB+FC* correlation:
This is the most quoted and the most appreciate correlation according with a lot
of authors. The correlation has been tested against a wide variety of data banks
from different experimental measurements and returns an accurate prediction of
the heat transfer coefficient in flow boiling conditions, taking into account both
nucleate and forced convective boiling phenomena. It’s a kind of correlation
named asymptotic type.
The forced convective contribution and the nucleate flow boiling contribution are
taken from VDI too, which are explained above. The range of validity is limited by
the referred two correlations.
In case of using CO2 as refrigerant, this correlation will be a automatically

changed to “CRWT” correlation since it is specific for CO2.
Tip:
In Cooper correlation, the roughness parameter of the tube is defined with

German Standard DIN, and a value of 1 µm could be assumed if it is unknown.
WTU correlation:
From: Leszek Wojtan, Thierry Ursenbacher, John R. Thome, ”Investigation of

flow boiling in horizontal tubes”, Part I-II, International Journal of Heat and Mass
Transfer, Volume 48, 2005, pp 2955-2969/ 2970-2985
The flow pattern map is developed from several important modifications to the
flow pattern map of Kattan–Thome–Favrat [J. Heat Transfer 120(1) (1998) 140–
147] made, resulting in a significantly new version of the map, to define annular–
dryout and dryout–mist flow transitions. The stratified–wavy region has been
subdivided into three subzones: slug, slug/stratified–wavy and stratified–wavy.
The new flow pattern map does not require any iterative calculations and it can
be easily used for flow regime identification in the flow boiling heat transfer model.
It shows a good improvement in the heat transfer prediction and extends the
application of the model to vapour qualities below 0.15. It has been observed at
high heat fluxes that the pool boiling correlation of Cooper over-predicts the
nucleate boiling improves heat transfer predictions at heat fluxes above 17.5
kW/m2.
It can successfully be used for the flow boiling heat transfer predictions over the
whole vapor quality range 0<x<1.0 in all flow regimes (with the exception of
bubbly flows) and at heat fluxes ranging from 2.0 to 57.5 kW/m2.
123
CRWT correlation for CO2:
From: Lixin Cheng, Gherhardt Ribatski, Leszek Wojtan, John R. Thome, ”New
flow boiling heat transfer model and flow pattern map for carbon dioxide
evaporating inside horizontal tubes”, International Journal of Heat and Mass
Transfer, Volume 49, 2006, pp 4082-4094
These new flow boiling heat transfer model and a new flow pattern map based
on the flow boiling heat transfer mechanisms for horizontal tubes have been
developed specifically for CO2. The new general heat transfer and flow pattern
models use the Wojtan-Ursenbacher-Thome model [Part I-II, I. J. of Heat and
Mass Transfer, 48, 2005, 2955-2969/2970-2985] as starting point.
A specific correlation for CO2 it is necessary since CO2 has higher heat transfer
coefficients than those of conventional refrigerants at the same saturation
temperature. The available heat transfer correlations generally underpredict the
experimental data of CO2.
The flow boiling heat transfer model predicts 75.5% of all the CO2 database (318
data points) within ±30% and 79.1% of the CO2 database (287) without dryout
data points. The flow boiling heat transfer model and the flow pattern map are
applicable to a wide range of conditions: tube diameters (equivalent diameters
for noncircular channels) from 0.8 to 10 mm, mass velocities from 170 to 570
kg/m2 s, heat fluxes from 5 to 32 kW/m2 and saturation temperatures from -28 to
25 ºC (reduced pressures from 0.21 to 0.87).
To use this correlation, user can not choose it directly, it is used automatically
when “VDI NB +FC” correlation is chosen and CO2 is the refrigerant.
Tip:
All correlations for evaporation are checked by the designers of IMST-ART in a

very large range of working conditions. Moreover, the choosing of those
correlations is the result of a hard and wide research and investigation of the
IMST Group. Although all those correlations agrees quite well with reality, using
templates for evaporation we recommend just that which is chosen by default.
If the user requires a simple correlation for evaporation, easy to handle, we

recommend the use of Cooper’s correlation, but losing a lot of accuracy in some
circumstances. For a quite accurate result, or unknown model of evaporation, we
recommend VDI NB+FC correlation, which combines nucleate and forced
convective boiling, although it’s more complex to handle.
Microchannel
124

Proprietary *:
IMST-ART automatically uses the correlation “VDI NB +FC” used for round tube.
The only difference is that the hydraulic diameter of the corresponding channel is
used as the characteristic length used is instead of the diameter of the round
tube.
125
Plates.
Proprietary 1*:
Here IMST-ART defines its own correlation, based on the wide known correlation
for boiling inside tubes by Chen (Correlation for boiling heat transfer to saturated
fluids in convective flow, Ind. Eng. Chem. Proc. Des. Dev. 1966, 5, pp 322-329).
It has the form of the sum of two terms: a nucleate boiling contribution, modified
by a suppression factor, and a forced convective contribution, modified by a
multiplier factor for two-phase flow. IMST-ART modifies the definition of the two
contribution factors to adjust the heat transfer coefficient to the physical
phenomena presented in plate heat exchangers. Moreover, we use an
asymptotic method to enhance the influence of each of them.
For the nucleate boiling term, this correlation uses the Cooper correlation for pool
boiling. For the forced convective flow boiling it uses our own correlation for
single-phase flow for plates, named Proprietary*, and a multiplier factor as
function of the Martinelli parameter. This correlation also includes a correction
factor that takes into account the influence of the corrugation angle of the
corrugated plates.
Proprietary 2:
Here IMST-ART defines its own correlation, based on the correlation for boiling
inside tubes given by Thonon et al. (Recent research and developments in plate
heat exchangers, J. Enhanced Heat Transfer, 1995, vol. 2, pp 149-155). It has
the form of the sum of two terms: a nucleate boiling contribution, modified by a
suppression factor, and a forced convective contribution, modified by a multiplier
factor for two-phase flow. IMST-ART modifies the definition of the two contribution
factors to adjust the heat transfer coefficient to the physical phenomena
presented in plate heat exchangers. At the end, the model chooses the greater
of two terms as the heat transfer coefficient, like the original model given by
Thonon.
For the nucleate boiling term, this correlation uses the Cooper correlation for pool
boiling. For the forced convective flow boiling it uses our own correlation for
single-phase flow for plates, named Standard correlation, and a multiplier factor
as function of the Martinelli parameter. This correlation also includes a correction
factor that takes into account the influence of the corrugation angle of the
corrugated plates.
Cooper correlation:
It is described in the part dealing with the correlations for boiling heat transfer
coefficient inside smooth tubes.
Tip:
126
We recommend the use of the Proprietary 1* correlation for calculating the heat
transfer coefficient in plates heat exchangers. The IMST-ART group has checked
the original Chen correlation to adjust it with owner experiments. The result gives
a good prediction for the heat transfer coefficient. The Proprietary2* correlation
has a quite different approximation to the boiling phenomena, and it seems to be
a good estimation under the most of the circumstances. The contrast between
the asymptotic form of the adapted Chen model and the simple selective form of
the Thonon justifies the inclusion of the two models.
The Cooper correlation designed for pool boiling could be a good model for a first
approximation to the heat transfer coefficient. The studies by Pelletier (Propane
as refrigerant in residential heat pumps, Engineering Licenciate Thesis, 1998,
KTH, Stockholm) about using pool boiling correlations to predict heat transfer
coefficient in plate evaporators justify our election.
6.2.10.4. Single-phase flow heat transfer

Round Tubes.
Proprietary *:
This correlation is an adaptation of the Gnielinski correlation that covers laminar

and trubulent flow regions and takes into account the effect of roughness.
Gnielinski shows in his paper (Gnielinski, V., “New equations for heat and mass
transfer in turbulent pipe and channel flow”. Int. Chem. Eng., 1976, vol. 16, pp
359-368) a good fitting for a great number of experimental data, enhancing a
similar equation proposed by Prandtl in 1944. It’s a semiempirical correlation for
turbulent flow. The model is a function of the friction factor coefficient, calculated
according to the Petukhov correlation, and Prandtl and Reynolds numbers, and
uses the modified version which has the entrance correction factor derived by
Hausen (1943). For laminar flow, according with Gnielinski in the Heat Exchanger
Desing Handbook (Hewitt, G., F., 1998, 2.5.1-2, Begell House Inc.), IMST-ART
uses the asymptotic value of 3.66 of the Nusselt-Graetz problem, which is a
reasonable simplification of the problem, valid for almost all working conditions.
Roughness effect is included as proposed by Norris (in “Norris, R.H.,
“Augmentation of Convection Heat and Mass Transfer”, American Society of
Mechanical Engineers, New York, 1971).
Microchannel.
127
Proprietary *:
IMST-ART automatically uses the correlation “Proprietary” used for round tube.
The only difference is that the hydraulic diameter of the corresponding channel is
used as the characteristic length used is instead of the diameter of the round
tube.
128
Plates.
Proprietary *:
Here IMST-ART defines its own correlation. It has the form of the classical Dittus-
Boelter correlation, it correlates single-phase heat transfer coefficients against
Prandtl and Reynolds numbers, by adjusting the coefficients and the Reynolds ranges
in accordance with plate heat exchangers. This correlation also includes a correction
factor that takes into account the influence of the corrugation angle of the corrugated
plates.
Round Tubes: Air side.
Chi Chuan Wang
Plain fin, wet air
From: Chi-Chuan Wang, Yur-Tsai Lin, Chi-Juan Lee, “An airside correlation for
plain fin-and-tube heat exchangers in wet conditions”, International Journal of
Heat and Mass Transfer 43 (2000) 1869-1872
Plain fin with, dry air
From: Chi-Chuan Wang, Kuan-Yu Chi, Chun-Jung Chang, “Heat transfer and
friction characteristics of plain fin-and-tube heat exchangers”, part I-II,
International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 43 (2000), 2681-2691/2693-
2700
Louver fin, wet air
International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 43 (2000) 3443-3452
Louver fin, dry air
International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 43 (2000) 3443-3452
Wavy fin, dry air
From: Chi-Chuan Wang, Young-Ming Hwang, Yur-Tsai Lin, “Empirical

correlations for heat transfer and flow friction characteristics of herringbone wavy
129
fin-and-tube heat exchangers”, International Journal of Refrigeration 25 (2002)

673–680
Superlit fin
From: Yuan-Jan Du, Chi-Chuan Wang, “An experimental study of the airside
performance of the Superslit fin-and-tube heat exchangers”, International Journal
of Heat and Mass Transfer 43 (2000), 4475-4482
Fin geometry and humidity conditions determinate the correlation to be used. All
correlations considered (and its references) are mentioned above. Wang et al.
present friction and heat transfer coefficient correlations for these situations in
various articles, always taking into account humidity conditions.
Granryd correlation:
From: Granryd et al, “Refrigerating Engineering, part I”, 1999, 8, 40-44.
It can be used for predicting air side heat transfer coefficients for fin and tube heat
exchangers. It is based in a series of experiments where different geometric
parameters were tested. The air heat transfer coefficient is calculated as the
average (taking into account the ratio of the fins and tubes areas) of the air heat
transfer coefficient considering only the fins and considering only the tubes.
Range of validity:
Geometric parameter Range of validity

Fin spacing (mm) 3 - 16
Fin thickness (mm) 1.2
Length of individual fin in the direction of air flow (mm) 100-300
Number of fins in the direction of air flow 1-3
Tube diameter (mm) 0-35
Tube spacing transverse to air flow (mm) 33.3-100
Tube spacing in direction of air flow (mm) St = Sl
Number of tubes in individual fin in direction of air flow 1-3
Tube arrangement Staggered, in-line
Proprietary *:
IMST-ART modifies the known correlation given by Chi-Chuan Wang et al.

depending on the geometry fin and humidity conditions. The difference between
the Adapted Chi-Chuan Wang correlation and the original one is basically the
fitting of the constants to adapt the predicted heat transfer to the actual one with
more accuracy.
130
Microchannel: Air side.

KB correlation:
From: Kim, M.H., Bullard, C., “Air-side thermal hydraulic performance of multi-
louvered fin aluminum heat exchangers”, International Journal of Refrigeration
(2002), 25:390-400.
The correlation is developed with an experimental campaign on the air-side heat

transfer and pressure drop characteristics for multi-louvered fin and flat tube heat
exchangers. 45 heat exchangers were tested with different louver angles (15–
29°), fin pitches (1.0,1.2, 1.4 mm) and tube depths (16, 20, 24 mm). The tests
were conducted for air-side Reynolds numbers of 100–600, at a constant tube-
side water flow rate of 0.32 m3/h. The inlet temperatures of the air and water for
heat exchangers were 21 and 45 °C, respectively.
Tubes and Wires: Air side.

Convection in this kind of heat exchangers is considered as free convection
since is the most common application.
MH correlation:
From: Melo, C., Hermes, C.J.L:, “A heat transfer correlation for natural draft
wire-and-tube condensers”, International Journal of Refrigeration (2009), 32:546-
555.
The authors developed a dimensionless correlation to estimate the heat transfer

coefficient between the external surfaces of natural draft wire-and-tube
condensers and the surrounding air. The correlation was developed based on a
total of 72 experimental data points obtained with 24 different condenser samples
with tube outer diameter ranging from 4.8 to 6.2 mm, number of tube rows from
13 to 25, and number of wire pairs from 10 to 90. The tests were performed with
an average temperature difference between the condenser surface and the
ambient air ranging from 3.6 to 36.1 °C. The proposed correlation predicts 90%
of heat transfer data within an error band of ±10%.
Notice that this correlation is used to obtain the combined heat transfer
coefficient, which includes the radiation term.
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6.3. Compressor
This window is displayed when clicking the "Add Compressor" button in the main
window.
The next fields have to be filled in:
 Title: reference that will identify the compressor that is being defined. The
compressor will be added with this name in the corresponding list of the
main window.
 Compressor Data:
o Displacement: the volume displaced by the compressor in each
revolution.
o Nominal Speed: compressor speed in revolutions per minute.
o Oil Volume: the amount of oil in liters charged originally in the
compressor.
o Heat Losses: the heat transferred to the ambient from the
compressor outer surface. Heat transferred to the ambient (heat
losses) is defined as positive. Please notice that the input value is
in %.
o Oil Circulation Rate (OCR): oil mass fraction (oil/refrigerant
mixture) in the total circulating mass flowrate through the unit, in %.
Typical values: 0.0 – 1.0 %. The solubility of the refrigerant in oil is
taken into account, using curves solubility as a function of the
chosen refrigerant and other parameters.
o Scale Factor: factor to modify compressor displacement. By
modifying this factor the user can increase or decrease by this
factor the compressor displacement and adapt it to provide a given
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duty. Displacement, mass flow rate and compressor consumption

are all multiplied by that factor.
There are different ways to model a compressor depending on the available

information:
 Constant Efficiencies: the compressor is modeled just considering

constant values for the volumetric and compressor efficiency.
 Default Efficiencies: the user selects the type of compressor (Scroll-

Hermetic, Reciprocating-Semihermetic, Reciprocating-Hermetic, Rotary or
Screw). Developers have built-in correlations for both volumetric and
compressor efficiencies for each type of the compressors.
 Single Point Adjustment: The user can input the values of the efficiencies
for a single operation point and the program forces the default built-in
correlations to pass through that point. Alternatively, the user can input the
performance of a single catalog point to force the correlations to pass
through it.
 Detailed Definition: the user can define the compressor in two different
ways: by defining polynomials for the volumetric and compressor
efficiencies, depending on the Pressure Ratio, or by the 2-variable
depending polynomials suggested in the ARI 540-99 which compute the
Compressor Power and the Mass Flowrate depending on the suction and
discharge saturation temperatures.
 Catalogue Data: the user can define the compressor by inputting the values
obtained from the manufacturer’s catalogue.
When the "View/Modify Compressor" button is clicked, the data of the selected
compressor are displayed. All the fields can be modified including the compressor
Title.
Compressor data can be stored in files with extension (.cmp) for reloading
purposes.
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6.3.1. Constant Efficiencies Definition

The compressor is modelled upon considering constant values for the volumetric
and compressor efficiency.
These values can be set in two different ways:
● By directly entering the values of the volumetric and compressor efficiencies.
● By entering the information of a single performance point from a

compressor catalogue. The user should first input the refrigerant and the
performance values (refrigeration capacity and compressor power input) and
then to specify the corresponding operating point. In order to specify the operating
point the user can either choose a standard rating point (ARI or ASERCOM) or
input all the required values: evaporation and condensation temperature,
subcooling and superheat.
- Conditions:
The rating standards state the Condensation and Evaporation temperatures and
the Superheat and Subcooling to report compressor performance data. The
following ARI and ASERCOM rating points are considered in the program.
ARI HT.
Evaporation Temperature: 7.2 ºC
Condensation Temperature: 54.4 ºC
Superheat: 11.1 K
Subcooling: 8.3 K
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ARI MT
Evaporation Temperature: -6.7 ºC
Superheat: 11.1 K
Subcooling: 0 K
ARI LT
Superheat: 36.1 K
Subcooling: 0 K
ASERCOM HT
Evaporation Temperature (ºC): 5
Condensation Temperature (ºC): 50
Superheat (K): 10
Subcooling (K): 0
ASERCOM MT
Evaporation Temperature (ºC): -10
Superheat (K): 10
Subcooling (K): 0
ASERCOM LT
Superheat (K): 10
Subcooling (K): 0
Please notice that in the above, the following convention has been followed:
- Evaporation Temperature: this is the evaporation temperature which

corresponds to the pressure at the compressor inlet.
- Condensation Temperature: this is the condensation temperature which
corresponds to the pressure at the compressor outlet (discharge pressure).
The definition of these temperatures is sometimes ambiguous when the fluid

refrigerant is a non-azeotropic mixture. The program always considers the
corresponding dew point temperature. In some sources, an average between the
dew and the bubble temperatures is used. This would lead to non consistent
results.
- Superheat: difference between the evaporator outlet temperature and the

evaporation temperature.
- Subcooling: difference between the condenser outlet temperature and the
condensation temperature.
- Refrigeration Capacity: total heat exchanged at the evaporator. All superheat
is considered as produced at the evaporator.
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- Power Input: compressor power consumption.
The program calculates the compressor and the volumetric efficiencies using this
information.
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6.3.2. Default Efficiencies Definition

This option is very useful when there is no other available information than the
compressor type or just the user wants to make an approximate estimation of the
compressor performance. Additionally, it is very useful to size a compressor,
since the user can run the program with the default compressor, then check the
required displacement, flowrate, refrigeration capacity, evaporation and
condensation temperatures… and with that information go into a compressor
catalogue or software and select an adequate compressor.
The user can choose between the following options:
Scroll-Hermetic.
Reciprocating-Semihermetic.
Reciprocating-Hermetic.
Screw.
Rotary.
For each option, the user must choose the range application of the compressor,
since manufacturers build them specifically for each condition. The range
applications are those defined in either ARI or UNE Standards.
HT
MT
LT
Some compressors do not have all standard conditions available, this fact is due
to manufacturers do not build some compressors for some operating ranges,
because their performance is not good in those ranges.
The built-in correlations for each of the compressor types are the result of an
exhaustive study of several compressors from different manufacturers working
under a wide range of conditions.
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6.3.3. Single Point Adjustment

The user can input the values of the efficiencies for a single operation point and
the program forces the default built-in correlations to pass through that point.
Alternatively, the user can input the performance of a single catalog point to force
the correlations to pass through it.
The two possible options to define the performance point through which the built-
in correlations are going to pass, are:
● By directly entering the values of the volumetric and compressor efficiencies

at a given pressure ratio.
● By entering the information of a single performance point from a

compressor catalogue. The user should first input the refrigerant and the
performance values (refrigeration capacity and compressor power input) and
then to specify the corresponding operating point. In order to specify the operating
point the user can either choose a standard rating point (ARI or ASERCOM) or
input all the required values: evaporation and condensation temperature,
subcooling and superheat.
- Conditions:
The rating standards state the Condensation and Evaporation temperatures and
the Superheat and Subcooling to report compressor performance data. The
following ARI and ASERCOM rating points are considered in the program.
138
ARI HT.
Evaporation Temperature: 7.2 ºC
Superheat: 11.1 K
Subcooling: 8.3 K
ARI MT
Superheat: 11.1 K
Subcooling: 0 K
ARI LT
Superheat: 36.1 K
Subcooling: 0 K
ASERCOM HT
Evaporation Temperature (ºC): 5
Superheat (K): 10
Subcooling (K): 0
ASERCOM MT
Superheat (K): 10
Subcooling (K): 0
ASERCOM LT
Superheat (K): 10
Subcooling (K): 0
Please notice that in the above, the following convention has been followed:
- Evaporation Temperature: this is the evaporation temperature which

corresponds to the pressure at the compressor inlet.
- Condensation Temperature: this is the condensation temperature which
corresponds to the pressure at the compressor outlet (discharge pressure).
The definition of these temperatures is sometimes ambiguous when the fluid

refrigerant is a non-azeotropic mixture. The program always considers the
corresponding dew point temperature. In some sources, an average between the
dew and the bubble temperatures is used. This would lead to non-consistent
results.
- Superheat: difference between the evaporator outlet temperature and the
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evaporation temperature.
- Subcooling: difference between the condenser outlet temperature and the
condensation temperature.
- Refrigeration Capacity: total heat exchanged at the evaporator. All superheat
is considered as produced at the evaporator.
- Power Input: compressor power consumption.
The program calculates the compressor and the volumetric efficiencies using this
information and then forces the default built-in correlations to pass through that
point.
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6.3.4. Detailed Efficiencies

There are two different ways to define the compressor performance in detail:
 By entering polynomials for the compressor efficiency and for the

volumetric efficiency depending on the pressure ratio. The polynomials
have the following structure:
Efficiency (Pr)= a0 + a1·Pr + a2·Pr2 + ... +an·Prn
Where: aj are the coefficients of the polynomial which have to be entered,

and Pr is the Pressure Ratio.
The following window allows the user to define the compressor efficiency:
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Then, the following window allows the user to define the volumetric efficiency:
On both windows, the input polynomials can be plotted just by clicking on the
"Plot Graph" button in order to easily verify that the input information is right.
The second way to define the compressor performance in detail is:
 By entering the compressor performance polynomials according to the ARI

540-99 standard.
First the refrigerant for which the polynomials are going to be entered must be
defined. Then, two polynomials must be input, one for the Compressor Power
(consumption) and one for the Mass Flowrate.
Notice that the correlations are refrigerant dependent. Using polynomials

obtained for a refrigerant to simulate s system with a different refrigerant would
lead to misleading results. If the compressor performance data is only available
for a given refrigerant, different from the one of the system to be simulated, it is
strongly recommended, to first run the system with the compressor original
refrigerant, get the volumetric and compressor efficiencies, and then use those
values as an estimation of the ones for the new refrigerant. This procedure can
be repeated for several operating points to generate a polynomial for the
efficiencies instead of just entering a single point.
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The ARI polynomials have the following definition:
F(Ts,Td)=C1+C2·Ts+C3·Td+C4·Ts2+C5·Td·Ts+C6·Td2+C7·Ts3+
C8·Td·Ts2+C9·Ts+Td2+C10·Td3
Where: Cj are the polynomial coefficients, Ts is the suction saturation

temperature and Td is the discharge saturation temperature.
Once the compressor efficiency has been defined using a correlation (by points
or by polynomial), the volumetric efficiency must also be defined using a
correlation. On the same manner, once the compressor efficiency is defined using
the ARI 540-99 representation, the volumetric efficiency must also be defined
using the ARI 540-99 representation.
The compressor performance data introduced as ARI 540-2004 polynomials can

also be verified graphically in the program. When the Plot button is pressed, four
lines are shown. The graph present the Compressor Power Input (or Mass
Flowrate) vs. Saturation suction temperature Ts (between -45 °C and 15 °C) at
four different values of Saturation discharge temperature Td (20 °C, 35 °C, 50 °C,
65 °C).
Notice that part of the plotted data could appear strange or non-consistent since
the range of temperatures employed for the graph can be much wider than the
one valid for the input polynomials.
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6.3.5. Catalogue Data

This option convert data published by compressors manufactures into curves of
volumetric efficiency and compressor efficiency. Internally, the modelling
procedure is exactly the same as the option of detailed efficiencies with the
advantage of introducing directly information published without the need of an
external conversion.
User has to choose Refrigerant and nominal speed of compressor given in the
data provided by the manufacturer.
!IMPORTANT!
These data (Refrigerant and nominal speed) can be different in this
window (definition of compressor characteristics) and in the main window in the
cycle. User can simulate conditions of compressor working with different
refrigerants and at different speeds. In this case, software will notice the user this
fact if the data input is wrong.
Following input has to be filled:
 Condensation Temperature (dew) (number of rows): User fills the

number of condensation temperatures set in the catalogue table.
144
 Evaporation Temperature (dew) (number of rows): User fills the

number of Evaporation temperatures set in the catalogue table.
 Cooling Capacity: Table is generated dependent the number of
condensation and evaporation temperatures defined above. User has to
give Cooling Capacity for each pair of temperatures. Some cells may be
left blank.
 Power Input: Table is generated dependent the number of condensation
and evaporation temperatures defined above. User has to give Power
Input for each pair of temperatures. Some cells may be left blank.
 Subcooling/Liquid Temperature: User has to give the Subcooling or
Liquid temperature under catalogue data has been obtained.
 Superheat/Suction Temperature: User has to give the Superheat or
Suction temperature under catalogue data has been obtained.
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6.4. Accessories
The program allows the definition of the different kind of accessories such as
pipes, liquid suction heat exchanger and 4-ways valve.
6.4.1. Pipes Definition
The user can decide whether he wants to perform calculations considering the
influence of the connecting pipes. If the piping is going to be considered in the
calculation the “Define Accessories” button must be pressed. The program then
allows the user to input a definition in detail of the different connecting pipes:
“Detailed Calculation”, or alternatively input the effect of the pipes in the system
via entering the temperature variation due to the heat exchanged along the pipes:
“Simplified Calculation”.
6.4.1.1. Simplified Calculation

When the user wishes to consider the global effect of the pipes in the system but
do not enter a detailed description of the pipes, it is possible to set the conditions
at the compressor and expansion valve inlet, which are the conditions affected
by the liquid and suction lines.
These conditions can be defined by either setting the value of the temperature
directly or the temperature variation (additional superheat from the evaporator
outlet, or additional subcooling from the condenser outlet).
It is also possible to set the Pressure Drop for each line (Suction, Discharge and
Liquid) as Pressure or as Temperature.
Notice that prescribing the inlet temperature at the inlet of the compressor or at
the inlet of the expansion valve is a very stiff boundary condition for the simulation
of the system and can be non-consistent with other design conditions of the
system. It is strongly recommended to instead prescribe the superheat or
146
subcooling, since moreover, it is more consistent with the real effect of the pipe
onto the system.
6.4.1.2. Detailed Calculation

The influence of the piping can be considered in detail in the calculations. The
program allows the consideration of the following piping:
 Suction Line: from the evaporator outlet to the compressor inlet.

 Discharge Line: from the compressor outlet to the condenser inlet.
 Liquid Line: from the condenser outlet to the expansion valve inlet.
Several fields have to be filled in for each pipe:
 Material: can be selected from a list of materials. New materials can be

added to the list by clicking on the "Add Material" button. Added materials
can be modified by clicking on the "Modify Material" button.
 External Diameter: a list of the most common diameters employed at the
A/C-Refrigeration Industry is available. If the desired external diameter is
not in the list it can be defined by typing it. The diameters are in inches.
 Pipe Thickness: when the external diameter is defined, a reasonable pipe
thickness is automatically proposed by the program. In any case the user
can always input the exact value if desired.
 Length: total pipe length.
 Friction Pressure Losses Enhancement Factor: a multiplier for the
friction pressure losses in the pipe. This multiplier, which can be greater
or lower than unity, allows the user to fit the calculations to the
experimental results.
 Inlet Height & Outlet Height: pressure losses are considered in
calculations, therefore the height at the inlet and outlet ends of the pipe
must be specified in order to make possible to take into account the
corresponding liquid head. The default values are set to 0, meaning
horizontal piping or negligible liquid head effect.
 Insulation: different materials can be considered for the insulation of the
pipes. The user can add new insulation materials by clicking on the "Add
Insulation" button. Insulation materials can be modified by clicking on the
"Modify Insulation" button.
 Insulation Thickness: thickness of the insulation material.
 External Heat Transfer: heat transfer mechanism between the
surroundings and the pipe. Three options are available: natural convection
in horizontal tubes, natural convection in vertical tubes and forced
convection.
 Heat Transfer Enhancement Factor: a multiplier for the heat transfer in
pipes. This multiplier, which can be greater or lower than unity, allows the
user to fit the calculations to the experimental results.
147
 External Temperature: an average temperature of the surroundings of

the pipe. This temperature will be used to compute the heat transferred
between the refrigerant flowing in pipe and the surroundings.
 Air Velocity: if the forced convection option has been selected as the heat
transfer mechanism, a characteristic air velocity must be entered.
 ExtraSH/Desuperheat/ExtraSC: This option allows the user to introduce
in the calculations a certain amount of Extra Superheat / Desuperheat /
Extra Subcooling in the suction line / discharge line / liquid line due to
effects or accessories not included in the system model. These declared
amounts of temperature increment will be added to the ones calculated
along the pipes.
Additionally, pressure losses along the pipes due to elbows, valves, glass sights,
etc. can be defined by clicking on the "Accessories PD" button. Pressure losses
are set to 0 by default.
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6.4.1.3. Line Pressure Drop

The Pressure Drop along the pipe due to the existence of accessories can also
be included in the calculations. The following accessories are available:
 Globe valve and Solenoid valve.

 Angle Valve.
 Short Radius Elbow.
 Long Radius Elbow.
 Tee Line Flow and Sight Glasses.
 Tee Branch Flow.
The user can specify through the menu shown below, the number of items of
each accessory existing along the pipe.
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6.4.1.4. Pipe Material

A short database with the most common materials employed on A/C-
Refrigeration piping is built-in in the program. New materials for the piping can be
added and store. New defined materials can always be modified or deleted. In
order to define a new material the following information is required:
Material: identifier of the material. The material will appear in the list of materials
with this name. This field cannot be modified.
Thermal Conductivity: thermal conductivity of the material.
Absolute Roughness: absolute surface roughness (rugosity) of the material.
Density: density of the material.
While adding a new material, once all this information has been filled the user
has two options: clicking on the "New material" button in order to add the defined
material to the list and continuing adding new ones or clicking the "Ok" button in
order to add the defined material and return to the previous window.
When desired the user can delete the selected material just by clicking on the
"Delete" button.
150
6.4.1.5. Insulation
A couple of typical values for common insulation on A/C-Refrigeration are built-in
in the program. New materials for external insulation of the pipes can be defined,
and once defined and stored, can be modified or deleted. A new insulation
material is defined through the following fields:
 Insulation: identifier of the insulation. The insulation will appear in the

insulation list with this name. This field cannot be modified.
 Thermal Conductivity: thermal conductivity of the insulation.
While adding a new insulation, once all this information has been filled, the user
has two options: clicking on the "New insulation" button in order to add the defined
insulation to the list and continuing adding new ones or clicking on the "Ok" button
in order to add the defined insulation and return to the previous window.
When desired the user can delete the selected insulation material just by clicking
on the "Delete" button.
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6.4.2. Suction Line Heat Exchanger
Suction Line Heat Exchangers improve refrigeration system performance. These

heat exchangers protect the compressor and are highly recommended by
equipment manufacturers for medium and low temperature refrigeration systems.
To activate this component click on the button called Define Accessories, which
is located in the accessories frame over main windows:
This action opens a window called Accessories where there is a frame called
Liquid to Suction HE, that must be enabled by clicking the check box located at
left side of the frame title:
This frame contains three different options to perform the analysis of the suction
line heat exchangers. These options are described below.
152
6.4.2.1. Simplified Calculation

If this option is selected, a constant value for extra sub-cooling is used in suction
line heat exchanger calculation. Such value must be introduced by the user, a
value into the range from 0 to 10 kelvin degree is recommended.
6.4.2.2. Given UA
In this option a value for global heat transfer coefficient must be entered. Such
value must agree to characteristic of the refrigeration system.
6.4.2.3. Detailed Calculation

In this option, a detailed heat exchanger analysis is carried out based on data
and reference conditions provided in heat exchanger catalogues. Such reference
conditions used to be operating conditions with R22 as refrigerant fluid. When
this option is selected, the following variables are taking into account for
calculation:
 Refrigerant: select the refrigerant fluid according to information provided

by heat exchanger manufacturer or use R22 for reference.
 Conditions: different work conditions according to the manufacturer and
templates.
 Evaporation Temperature: is the point at which dew line is crossed in the
evaporator.
 Subcooling: difference between condenser outlet and condensation
temperatures.
 Superheat: difference between evaporator outlet and evaporation
temperatures.
 Condensation Temperature: is the point at which the bubble line is
crossed in the condenser.
 Refrigerant Capacity: this variable corresponds to the maximum cycle
capacity and depends on the system.
153
6.4.3. The 4-Ways Valve

In order to simulate a “4-ways Valve", some parameters that define its operating
conditions must be introduced into the frame disposed for this component into the
Accessories windows:
There are two different ways to calculate this element. When the “4-ways Valve”
check box is clicked, these two options are available:
 Simplified Calculation:
In this option, just a Constant Superheat value must be entered and the
corresponding Desuperheat at discharge line is calculated.
 Detailed Calculation:
Catalogues for “4-ways Valves” used to contain experimental data of valve
operating conditions. This information can be used for defining information
required by the program (nominal parameters):
 Nominal Pressure Drop: the pressure drop in the suction line that the
fluid has when it passes across the 4-ways valve.
154
 Suction Inlet Diameter: the diameter in [mm] of the suction pipe.
 Refrigeration Capacity: corresponds to the heat exchanged in the

evaporator.
 Refrigerant: the cycle working refrigerant.
 Conditions: Anyone of the standard conditions referenced in point 4.4.2.

Constant Efficiencies Definition, can be defined, also the user can
introduce or define directly these condition with the “User Defined” option.
In this case the following four parameters must be introduced:
o Evaporation Temperature: corresponds to the point at which the dew

line is crossed in the evaporator.
o Condensation Temperature: corresponds to the point at which the
bubble line is crossed in the condenser.
o Superheat: corresponds to the difference between evaporator outlet
and the evaporation temperatures.
o Subcooling: corresponds to the difference between condenser outlet
and condensation temperatures.
Two fields are optional, since they do not appear in all catalogues:
o Internal Leakage: This is the volumetric flow rate through internal

clearance, due to differential pressure between discharge and suction
lines.
o Nominal Superheat: Which is the increase of temperature
experimented by the fluid across the valve in the nominal conditions.
155
6.5. Expansion device

There are three different options in the program to calculate refrigerant conditions
at the evaporator outlet: setting the Superheat (at the outlet of the evaporator),
specifying a Capillary Tube or specifying a Short Tube.
 Superheat: difference between the temperature at the evaporator outlet

and the evaporation temperature (dew point). The user must specify the
required value of the superheat. This is a simple way to define the effect
of the expansion device on the system. It is quite accurate when an
Electronic Expansion Valve is employed, since that kind of device is able
to keep a very constant superheat at practically any operation condition.
Also it is very good option if the system incorporates a Thermostatic
Expansion Valve since they are able to keep almost constant superheat at
normal operating conditions.
 Capillary Tube / Short Tube: Mass flowrate through the Expansion

Device is calculated by a Capillary Tube / Short Tube correlation or a
detailed model (only for the case of the capillary tube) as a function of the
upstream and downstream refrigerant conditions. The evaporator
superheat is then just a result of the evaporator for the given refrigerant
flow and temperature conditions.
156
6.5.1. Capillary Tube

Select the option Capillary Tube into the Expansion Device combo box, which is
located within the frame Evaporator on the main working window.
Once the Capillary Tube option has been selected, a button with the name Modify
appears underneath the Expansion Device combo box. This button opens the
Capillary Tube options window, where geometric data must be defined and the
method for its calculation must be selected.
157
Capillary Tube Definition window has a first frame named Geometric Data, where
the following variables must be input:
 Diameter: Capillary Tube inner diameter.
 Length: Capillary Tube length. There is a minimum admitted length value,

equal to 20 times the Capillary Tube diameter value whereas the maximum
admitted value is 10 meters. If the length value introduced in this window is
out of this range, an error message window appears. For example, after
introducing a diameter of 2 millimeters and a length of 0.03 meters, the
following error message would appear:
158
And the following message if a length greater than 10 m has been input.
 Absolute Roughness: absolute surface roughness (rugosity) of the material.

The program uses a value of 1 micrometer by default.
Next, the user must choose between adiabatic or diabatic model.
Finally, the calculation method must to be chosen between two options contained
in a combo box: ASHRAE Correlation or Two-Phase Separated Flow, as it is
showed in the following figure.
Recommendations
Generally, Capillary Tube design for a refrigeration system consists of

determining the geometric dimensions of the capillary tube in order to provide an
acceptable superheat value. For such aim the following steps are recommended:
 First, set a Capillary Tube diameter.
 Second, change, via the parametric studies option, the Capillary Tube length
value until obtaining the desired evaporator superheat (A longer Capillary
Tube results in a greater evaporator superheat and in a smaller refrigerant
mass flowrate).
 Repeat the study for different diameter and check influence on the results.
Notice that in regard to the parametric studies option, capillary tube length is
within the Operating Conditions variables group.
159
160
6.5.2. Short Tube

Select the option Short Tube into the Expansion Device combo box, which is
located within the frame Evaporator on the main working window.
Once the Short Tube option has been selected, a button with the name Modify
appears underneath the Expansion Device combo box. This button opens the
Short Tube Definition window, where geometric data must be input.
161
The Short Tube geometric data required is:
 Diameter: inner diameter of the short tube. For pre-checking reasons, this
value must be into the range: 0.6 to 6 millimetres.
 Length: tube length expressed. For pre-checking reasons, this value must
be into the range: 0.5 to 25.4 centimeters.
If values outside these ranges are introduced, next error messages will appear:
162
163
As in the case of using a capillary tube, the mass flowrate through the short tube
depends on its dimensions, diminishing the tube length or increasing the tube
diameter, results in an increment of refrigerant mass flowrate. This last influence
can be easily evaluated using the parametric studies option, after selecting the
Short Tube mode, is possible to make successive simulations varying short tube
diameter. See also the Capillary Tube section.
164
6.6. Condenser Outlet

There are three different options in the program to calculate refrigerant conditions
at the condenser outlet (except for CO2 that are available four options as is
explained in the following point): setting the Subcooling, specifying the existence
of a Liquid Receiver or specifying the total Refrigerant Charge in the system.
 Subcooling: difference between condenser outlet temperature and

condensation temperature (bubble point). The user must specify the
required value of the subcooling. This is a simple way to define the
operation of the system. It is the best option if the system has an external
subcooler providing a given superheat. It is also a very good option when
a reasonable value of the subcooling is known for the system to be
simulated. A system without liquid receiver would in reality produce a
variable subcooling depending on the refrigerant charge and on the
operating conditions. Optimal charge typically produces subcooling
ranging from 0 to 15. Under this option the total refrigerant charge in the
system is a result from the calculation.
 Liquid Receiver: The existence of a liquid receiver at the outlet of the

condenser forces the condenser to provide saturated refrigerant (bubble
point). Therefore, if this option is activated, the program will assume 0
subcooling at the outlet of the condenser. In some cases, the liquid
refrigerant is able to slightly cool down when passes through the receiver.
As a result, at the outlet of the liquid receiver, the refrigerant could be
slightly subcooled. If this phenomenon is expected to happen, the user can
introduce this effect into the calculation by specifying an extra subcooling
as produced in the liquid pipe (see the section: Accessories - Pipes
Definition). If this option is selected, the program will require inputting the
Volume of this component. This volume allows the program to calculate
the amount of refrigerant required to fill up the receiver. That value is then
used by the program to estimate the minimum an maximum charge fitting
in the system, respectively corresponding to empty and plenty receiver
plus the refrigerant charge allocated in the rest of the system. Typically,
most of the liquid receivers are partially empty. Therefore, a variation in
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the refrigerant charge in systems incorporating receiver just produces a

variation on the refrigerant level inside. An increase in level could slightly
increase the small subcooling at the outlet of the receiver but this effect is
normally small. No other effect is expected to happen until the receiver
becomes full. Then, the system behaves as the systems without receiver.
If the user wishes to simulate this situation the Refrigerant charge option
must be used instead without considering the amount of refrigerant
allocated in the receiver.
 Refrigerant Charge: in those systems in which there is no liquid receiver,

the subcooling depends on the refrigerant charge and the operating
conditions. Under this option the user can specify the refrigerant charge in
the system and the program will find how the system is able to operate
and allocate all the charge in it. The subcooling is then a result offered by
the program.
Notice that the calculation of the charge in the system has a high uncertainty
since every little piece can have refrigerant inside and therefore its accurate
calculation is very difficult. On the one hand a much more detailed (cumbersome)
definition of the internal geometry of the whole system would be required. On the
other hand, the estimation of the mass of refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit
is based on empirical formulas for the void fraction which are not accurate at all.
Finally, the user must remind the numerically nature of the solution and therefore
its relative low accuracy.
Therefore, if the user sets the value for the subcooling, then remember that the
calculated refrigerant mass is just an estimate. The value will more accurate as
much detailed information has been introduced in the modelling. In any case, if
for example a value of 400 g is obtained for a given system from the calculations
and the experimental value providing the same subcooling is 475 g, then the
difference 75 g can be considered as a correction for the predicted refrigerant
mass, on account of aspects not considered into the models. This procedure has
proved to be quite accurate for the development of new systems.
On the other side, when a user specifies the refrigerant charge and wants the
program to calculate the performance of the system, it is relatively common that
the specified charge would lead to an excessive condensing pressure and maybe
the program will not be able to get the result because the pressure becomes
excessive (a real system will react on the same way and the High Pressure switch
will shut off the compressor). Therefore before using this option it is
recommended to first use the option of specifying the subcooling, then go to the
results and read the calculated refrigerant charge which will lead to the specified
subcooling and then use that value as the initial estimation of the refrigerant
charge. Again if the real charge is different, just consider for calculation purposes
that the difference will be approximately constant for other operating conditions
or small changes in the design of the system.
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6.6.1. Condenser outlet for CO2 cycles

When CO2 is used as a refrigerant, it is possible to simulate either a subcritical
or a supercritical cycle. When a supercritical cycle is simulated some options to
calculate the refrigerant’s properties in the condenser outlet do not make sense
since the refrigerant in the condenser outlet is in the supercritical region. These
options are: subcooling and liquid receiver.
On the other hand, during the design process, the designer might be thinking to
develop a transcritical cycle, but really this fact is a result of the system
calculation, it is not an input. Therefore, all options of the previous point are
available, though if after the calculation, the cycle is operating in supercritical
mode a warning would be showed if either Subcooling or liquid receiver option
has been selected.
When the system works as transcritical cycle is useful to use the refrigerant outlet
temperature as input for the calculation of the refrigerant‘s conditions in the
condenser outlet. Thus, for CO2 cycles this option is available, labeled as Gas
Cooler Outlet Temperature. It is used the term Gas Cooler since the condenser
used in supercritical CO2 cycles is known as Gas Cooler. Gas Cooler Outlet
Temperature is defined as the temperature of refrigerant in the condenser outlet.
Therefore, for CO2 cycles four options are available to calculate refrigerant
conditions at the outlet of condenser: Subcooling, Liquid receiver, Refrigerant
Charge and Gas Cooler Outlet Temperature.
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6.7. Running a Simulation

This dialog shows information about the calculation process. When "Parametric
Studies" are being performed, a progress bar is displayed, showing information
about the cases that have been successfully solved.
The calculation process can be always aborted by clicking on the "Abort

Execution" button.
When the calculation process has finished the results can be displayed by clicking
on the "View Solved Cases" button or alternatively by pressing “Last Results” on
the Tools dialogue of the menu bar.
If there were warnings during the calculation, the message “There were warnings”
will be shown. These warnings will be available in the results window (by clicking
the “Show Warnings” button).
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7. Results
When calculations have been performed, the user can view the results by clicking
on the "View Solved Cases" button. If the program has not been able of resolving
all calculation cases defined in a parametric study, just the cases that have been
converged successfully are showed.
The results are presented in groups in order to facilitate the access to the
information:
 Summary: summary of the main performance results.

 Compressor: information about the compressor and different variables
related to this component.
 Condenser: information about the condenser and different variables
 Evaporator: information about the evaporator and different variables
 Accessories: information related with the suction, discharge and liquid
lines.
 Refrigerant: some relevant information about the refrigerant properties in
the system, and system refrigerant mass inventory.
In the case of visualizing the results of a parametric study, each single

combination of parameters called “case” will generate a vertical row of results.
Additionally, the values of the chosen parameters for each study will be shown at
the bottom lines of each window.
If there were warnings during the calculation of any case, they can be shown by
clicking the “Show Warnings” button.
The following information is displayed in each one of the tables:
 Summary:
o Condensation Temperature: bubble temperature corresponding
to the condensation pressure.
o Evaporation Temperature: dew temperature corresponding to the
evaporation pressure.
o Condensation Pressure: pressure at the outlet of the condenser.
o Evaporation Pressure: pressure at the outlet of the evaporator.
o Condenser Subcooling: difference between the condenser outlet
temperature and the condensation temperature.
o Total Subcooling: difference between the condenser outlet
temperature and the expansion valve inlet temperature.
o Evaporator Superheat: difference between the evaporator outlet
temperature and the evaporation temperature.
o Total Superheat: difference between the compressor inlet
temperature and the evaporator outlet temperature.
Negative superheat could appear when there is two phase flow at
the evaporator outlet. Real superheat is zero. Its meaning is based
169
on a temperature-energy analogy: when two phase refrigerant

comes to the compressor inlet, the real enthalpy and the pressure
corresponding to this state are known. However saturated vapour
at compressor inlet is assumed (suction accumulator effect) so
there is another enthalpy at compressor suction (same pressure).
The negative superheat is calculated by dividing this enthalpy
difference by Cp (corresponding to saturated vapor at same
pressure).
o COP (Coefficient of Performance): ratio between the cooling
capacity and the compressor consumption (Non-dimensional).
o COP Fan/Pump Included: It is like COP but taking into account the
fan/pump power in its calculation.
o EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio): ratio between the cooling capacity
in BTU/h and compressor consumption in W.
o EER Fan/Pump Included: It is like EER but taking into account the
fan/pump power in its calculation.
o Total Carnot Efficiency: ratio between the COP and the COP of
the Carnot cycle.
o Total Carnot Efficiency Fan/Pump Included: It is like Total
Carnot Efficiency but taking into account the fan/pump power in its
calculation.
o COP(HPA) (Heat Pump Application): ratio between the heating
capacity and the compressor consumption.
o COP(HPA) Fan/Pump Included: It is like COP(HPA) but taking
into account the fan/pump power in its calculation.
o EER(HPA) (Heat Pump Application): ratio between the heating
capacity in BTU/h and compressor consumption in W.
o EER(HPA) Fan/Pump Included: It is like EER(HPA) but taking into
account the fan/pump power in its calculation.
o TCE(HPA) (Total Carnot Efficiency as Heat Pump Application)
ratio between the COP (HPA) and the Carnot COP (HPA).
o TCE(HPA) Fan/Pump Included: It is like TCE(HPA) but taking into
account the fan/pump power in its calculation.
o Cooling Capacity: heat absorbed in the evaporator.
o Heating Capacity: heat transferred at the condenser.
o Mass Flowrate: circulating refrigerant mass flowrate.
o Comp. Disch. Temp. (Compressor Discharge Temperature):
temperature at the compressor outlet.
o Power Input: compressor power consumption.
o Isentropic Eff. (Efficiency): ratio between isentropic compression
work and actual compression work.
o Compressor Efficiency: ratio between isentropic compression
work and compressor power consumption.
o Volumetric Efficiency: ratio between the circulating mass flowrate
and ideal mass flowrate.
o Refrigerant: name of the circulating refrigerant.
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 Compressor:
o Name: name of the selected compressor.
o Compressor Type: indicates the type of compressor selected from
the list under the "Default Compressor" or "Single Point Adjustment"
options.
o Displacement: volume displaced by the compressor at each
revolution.
o Speed: compressor speed in revolutions per minute.
o Ref. Mass Flowrate: circulating refrigerant mass flowrate.
o Ref+Oil Mass Flowrate: total (refrigerant+oil) circulating mass
flowrate.
o Refrigerant Solubility: it indicates percentage of refrigerant mass
in oil and refrigerant mixture.
o Inlet Flowrate: volumetric flowrate calculated at inlet conditions.
o Suction Pressure: pressure at the compressor inlet.
o Suction Saturation Temperature: dew point temperature at inlet
pressure.
o Discharge Pressure: pressure at the compressor outlet.
o Discharge Saturation Temperature: dew point temperature at
compressor discharge pressure.
o Pressure Ratio: ratio between discharge and suction pressures.
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o Suction Temperature: temperature at compressor inlet.

o Discharge Temperature: temperature at the compressor outlet.
o Inlet Superheat: difference between the compressor suction
temperature and the evaporator outlet temperature.
o Suction Density: refrigerant density at compressor inlet.
o Compression Power: work given to the refrigerant fluid by the
compressor.
o Power Input: compressor power consumption.
o Heat Losses: heat transferred from the compressor to the ambient
as % of Power Input.
o Isentropic Efficiency: ratio between isentropic compression work
and actual compression work.
o Compressor Efficiency: ratio between isentropic compression
work and compressor power consumption.
o Volumetric Efficiency: ratio between the circulating mass flowrate
and ideal mass flowrate.
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 Condenser & Evaporator:

o Global Results:
 Name: name of the selected condenser or evaporator.
 Exchanger Type: type of heat exchanger: Coil or Plates, for
the case of detailed modeling.
 Calculation Model: type of modeling selected: Constant
Temperature, Total Area, or Detailed.
 Capacity: heat transferred at the Condenser/Evaporator.
 Sensible capacity: (only in the case of coils) Sensible heat
capacity.
 SHR: (only in the case of coils) Sensible to total Heat Ratio
in %.
 Efficiency: ratio between capacity and its maximum
theoretical value. In the case of coils it corresponds with
sensible efficiency.
 UA: global heat transfer coefficient multiplied by the total
heat transfer area. In the case of coils it corresponds with
sensible UA.
 NTU: Number of heat Transfer Units. In the case of coils it
corresponds with sensible NTU.
 LMTD: Log mean temperature difference between primary
and secondary fluids. In the case of coils it corresponds with
sensible LMTD.
 Min. Wall Temp: (only in the case of coils and plates)
minimum temperature of heat exchanger wall.
 Max. Wall Temp: (only in the case of coils and plates)
maximum temperature of heat exchanger wall.
 Refrigerant: name of the circulating refrigerant.
 Refrigerant Area: total heat transfer area in contact with
the refrigerant fluid.
 (Condenser) De-superheating Area (%): portion of the
refrigerant area employed in de-superheating the vapor.
 (Evaporator/Condenser) Two Phase Area (%): portion of
the refrigerant area employed in evaporating or
condensing the refrigerant.
 (Evaporator) Superheating Area (%): portion of the
refrigerant area employed in superheating the refrigerant.
 (Condenser) Subcooling Area (%): portion of the
refrigerant area employed in subcooling the refrigerant.
 Mass Flowrate: circulating refrigerant mass flowrate.
 Inlet Temperature: refrigerant temperature at the inlet.
 Outlet Temperature: refrigerant temperature at the
outlet.
 (Evaporator) Inlet Quality: vapor quality at the
evaporator inlet.
 (Condenser) Inlet Superheat: superheat of the vapor at
the condenser inlet.
 (Evaporator) Outlet Superheat: Superheat at the
evaporator outlet.
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 (Condenser) Outlet Subcooling: Subcooling at the

condenser outlet.
 Pressure Drop: total refrigerant pressure drop across
the exchanger.
 Secondary Fluid: name of the secondary fluid: Air, water,
brine.
 Area: (only in the case of coils and plates) total heat
transfer area in contact with the secondary fluid.
 Flowrate: circulating secondary fluid flowrate (at inlet).
 Face Velocity: velocity of the secondary fluid at the
frontal face of the heat exchanger.
 Inlet Temperature: secondary fluid inlet temperature.
 Outlet Temperature: secondary fluid outlet temperature.
 Pressure Drop: total secondary fluid pressure drop
across the exchanger.
o Refrigerant:
 Name: name of the circulating refrigerant.
 Refrigerant Area: total heat transfer area in contact with the
refrigerant fluid.
 (Plate HX) Area Enh. Factor: Enhancement of heat transfer
area due to plate corrugation.
174
 (Condenser) De-superheating Area (%): portion of the

refrigerant area employed in de-superheating the vapor.
 (Evaporator/Condenser) Two Phase Area (%): portion of
the refrigerant area employed in evaporating or condensing
the refrigerant.
 (Evaporator) Superheating Area (%): portion of the
refrigerant area employed in superheating the refrigerant.
 (Condenser) Subcooling Area (%): portion of the refrigerant
area employed in subcooling the refrigerant.
 Mass Flowrate: circulating refrigerant mass flowrate.
 Inlet Temperature: refrigerant temperature at the inlet.
 Outlet Temperature: refrigerant temperature at the outlet.
 (Evaporator) Inlet Quality: vapor quality at the evaporator
inlet.
 (Condenser) Inlet Superheat: superheat of the vapor at the
condenser inlet.
 (Evaporator) Outlet Superheat: Superheat at the
evaporator outlet.
 (Condenser) Outlet Subcooling: Subcooling at the
condenser outlet.
 Heat Flux: heat exchanged between the two fluids per
refrigerant area.
 Two-Phase Heat Flux: mean heat flux in the
evaporation/condensation region.
 Heat Transfer Coefficient: averaged refrigerant side heat
transfer coefficient.
 Inlet Pressure: refrigerant pressure at the inlet.
 Outlet Pressure: refrigerant pressure at the outlet.
 Total Pressure Drop: total refrigerant pressure drop across
the exchanger.
 Inlet Pressure Drop: pressure drop through the elements
located at the inlet of the HE, such as distributors, ports,
capillary tubes, …
 Internal Pressure Drop: pressure drop inside of heat
exchanger.
 Outlet Pressure Drop: pressure drop through the elements
located at the outlet of the HE, such as distributors, ports,
capillary tubes, …
 Inlet Sat Temperature: refrigerant saturation temperature at
the inlet.
 Outlet Sat Temperature: refrigerant saturation temperature
at the outlet.
 Fluid Volume: total volume of the refrigerant side of the heat
exchanger.
 Mass Inventory: total refrigerant mass allocated in the heat
exchanger.
175
o Secondary Fluid:
 Name: name of the secondary fluid: Air, water, brine.
 Area: total heat transfer area in contact with the secondary
fluid.
 Fins Area: total area of the fins.
 Fin Efficiency: fin efficiency.
 Mass Flowrate: secondary fluid mass flowrate.
 Inlet Temperature: secondary fluid inlet temperature.
 Outlet Temperature: secondary fluid outlet temperature.
 Heat Transfer Coefficient: averaged secondary fluid side
heat transfer coefficient.
 Inlet Pressure: secondary fluid inlet pressure.
 Outlet Pressure: secondary fluid outlet pressure.
 Pressure Drop: total secondary fluid pressure drop across
the exchanger.
 Face Velocity: velocity of the secondary fluid at the frontal
face of the heat exchanger.
 Flowrate: secondary fluid flowrate at the inlet.
 Std Face Velocity: equivalent velocity at the frontal face of
the heat exchanger at standard conditions.
 Std Flowrate: equivalent inlet flowrate at standard
conditions.
176
 S. Pumping Power: minimum static power necessary to

pump the secondary fluid according to the conditions
imposed.
 Fan/Pump Consumption: electrical power consumption of
the Fan/Pump.
 Fan/Pump S. Efficiency: (if fan/pump power is not equal to
zero) static efficiency of fan or pump allocated on secondary
circuit. This is the ratio between S. Pumping Power and
Fan/Pump Consumption.
 Pumping Power: necessary power to pump the secondary
fluid.
 Pumping Efficiency: (if fan/pump power is not equal to
zero) efficiency of fan or pump allocated on secondary
circuit.
 Inlet Relative Humidity: (only in the case of coils and
plates) air relative humidity at the heat exchanger inlet.
 Outlet Relative Humidity: (only in the case of coils and
plates) air relative humidity at the heat exchanger outlet.
 Condensate Mass Flowrate: (only in the case of coils and
plates) condensate water mass flowrate from the outer heat
exchanger surface.
177
o Geometry (Tube and Fin coils):

 Tube diameter: inner tube diameter.
 Tube thickness: tube thickness.
 Internal surface: type of internal surface: Smooth…
 Transversal spacing: Transversal spacing between tubes
(vertical pitch). Flow is assumed horizontal.
 Longitudinal spacing: Longitudinal spacing between tubes
(horizontal pitch). Flow is assumed horizontal.
 Fin surface type: Plain, Wavy, Louvered, Superslit.
 Fin spacing: fin spacing, fin pitch in length or number of fin
per inch FPI.
 Fin thickness: fin thickness.
 Number of rows: number of tube rows in the flow direction.
 Number of circuits: number of tube circuits in which the
refrigerant flow is split.
 Core height: height of the heat exchanger core. Flow is
assumed horizontal.
 Core depth: depth of the heat exchanger core on the flow
direction.
 Finned length: tube finned length of the heat exchanger
core. Core width.
 Finned face area: frontal face area of the heat exchanger.
 Fin surface area: total area of the fin surface.
 Total coil surface area: total outer heat transfer area of the
coil.
 Compactness Ratio: Heat transfer area to heat exchanger
volume ratio.
 Fin mass: mass of total finned surface of the heat
exchanger.
 Tube mass: mass of total tubes of the heat exchanger
without refrigerant.
 Total mass: total mass of the heat exchanger without
refrigerant.
178
179
o Geometry (Plates):
 HPCD: Horizontal port center distance.
 VPCD: Vertical port center distance.
 Nominal port diameter: Inner port diameter.
 Plate pitch: the separation distance between two plates plus
the plate thickness.
 Channel Type: the type of angle of the channel corrugation.
 Total number of plates.
 Double Refrigerant Circuit: it indicates if plates heat
exchanger has double refrigerant circuit at partial load.
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 Accessories: Discharge line, Liquid line, Suction line

o Inlet Temperature: temperature at the inlet including accessories.
o Outlet temperature: temperature at the outlet including
accessories.
o Temperature difference (de-superheating, extra subcooling,
extra superheat): temperature difference along the line.
o Heat Loss: heat loss along the line.
o Pipe:
 External Diameter: pipe outer diameter.
 Internal Diameter: pipe inner diameter.
 Length: pipe length.
 Material: material of the pipe.
 Insulation: insulation material.
 Insulation Thickness: thickness of the insulation.
 Mass Flowrate: refrigerant mass flowrate.
 Refrigerant Velocity: refrigerant velocity.
 Oil drag min velocity (suction line): minimum advisable
refrigerant velocity to force oil circulation.
 Pressure Drop: refrigerant pressure drop along the pipe.
 Inlet Temperature: temperature at the pipe inlet.
 Outlet temperature: temperature at the pipe outlet.
The following results appear when the unit is defined with 4-ways
valve and/or Liquid to Suction Heat Exchanger. The user will see
additional data for the lines.
o Discharge line
 4-ways valve
Inlet Temperature: temperature at the entrance of
the 4-ways valve discharge side.
Outlet Temperature: temperature at the exit of the 4-
ways valve discharge side.
o Liquid line
 Liquid-Suction HE
the Liquid to Suction Heat Exchanger liquid side.
Outlet Temperature: temperature at the exit of the
Liquid to Suction Heat Exchanger liquid side.
o Suction line
 4-ways valve
the 4-ways valve suction side.
Outlet Temperature: temperature at the exit of the 4-
ways valve suction side.
Pressure drop: refrigerant pressure drop through the
suction side of the 4-ways valve
 Liquid-Suction HE
the Liquid to Suction Heat Exchanger suction side.
181
 Outlet Temperature: temperature at the exit of the Liquid to

Suction Heat Exchanger suction side.
182
183
 Refrigerant:
o Name: name of the refrigerant fluid.
o Condensation Pressure (Cond. Outlet).
o Condensation Glide: temperature variation due to pressure drop
and refrigerant glide.
o Evaporation Pressure (Evap. Outlet).
o Evaporation Glide: temperature variation due to pressure drop
and refrigerant glide.
o Liquid Density (Condenser Outlet): density at the condenser
outlet.
o Vapor Density (Evaporator Outlet): density at the evaporator
outlet.
o Saturation Pressure (T=15 °C): saturation pressure at the
temperature of 15 °C.
o Saturation Pressure (T=25 °C): saturation pressure at the
temperature of 25 °C.
o Total Refrigerant Charge: total mass of refrigerant in the system.
The next results show where the refrigerant is distributed all along of
the refrigerant circuitry and components. The total refrigerant charge
will be the addition of all the below shown figures except the one for
the liquid receiver. The maximum refrigerant mass in the liquid receiver
shows the value if it were full of liquid. If the system incorporates a
liquid receiver, the indicated total refrigerant charge is the theoretical
minimum required in the system. Practical limit would require maybe
an additional charge of a tenth of indicated refrigerant mass in the
receiver. Typically, the additional charge from factory is around one
third of indicated refrigerant mass in the receiver.
 Refrigerant Mass in Evaporator: refrigerant mass in the
evaporator.
 Refrigerant Mass in Condenser: refrigerant mass in the
condenser.
 Refrigerant Mass in Compressor: refrigerant mass in the
oil of the compressor.
 Refrigerant Mass in Suction HE: refrigerant mass in the
Liquid to Suction heat exchanger.
 Refrigerant Mass in capillary tube: refrigerant mass in the
capillary tube.
 Maximum Refrigerant Mass in Liquid Receiver: maximum
refrigerant mass fitting in the liquid receiver.
 Refrigerant Mass in Discharge line: refrigerant mass in the
discharge line.
 Refrigerant Mass in Liquid line: refrigerant mass in the
liquid line.
 Refrigerant Mass in Suction line: refrigerant mass in the
suction line.
184
A window that shows a graph with the values of the selected variable vs. each
case can be displayed by double-clicking on the corresponding row.
By clicking on the “Detailed Output” button in the toolbar when the Summary
results window is open, a Cycle Window is opened and the user can get the
refrigerant properties at the main points of the working cycle for each case. See
section: Detailed Output - Cycle Window.
Additionally by clicking on the "Plot Graph" button of the toolbar the user can
access a windows called “Plot Variables”, where a graph of any variable versus
any other variable can be easily plotted.
The results of all groups can be printed by clicking the "Print" button.
185
7.1. Plot Graph

This window is designed to select the variables to be plotted in a graph when
Parametric Studies have been carried out. The "Plot Graph" button is situated at
the toolbar. The user can access to a windows called “Plot Variables”, where a
graph of any variable versus any other variable can be easily plotted.
The variables to be plotted in each of the axes can be selected from a list. The
different variables are grouped by elements in order to facilitate their selection.
When the corresponding element is selected the variables of this element are
displayed in the list beside. Once the variables for X and Y axes have been
selected the graph can be plotted by clicking on the "Plot" button.
186
7.2. Detailed Output

By clicking on the “Detailed Output” button in the tool bar when the results window
is open, a Cycle Window is opened and the user can get the refrigerant properties
at the main points of the working cycle for each case.
7.2.1. Cycle Window

This window has been designed to display information about the thermophysical
properties of the refrigerant fluid at the most important points of the refrigeration
cycle.
These points are:
 Compressor Outlet.
 Isentropic Compressor Outlet.
 Condenser Inlet.
 Dew Point at Condensation Pressure.
 Bubble Point at Condensation Pressure.
 Condenser Outlet.
 Expansion Valve Inlet.
 Evaporator Inlet.
 Dew Point at Evaporation Pressure.
 Evaporator Outlet.
 Compressor Inlet.
187
The following properties are displayed when the corresponding button is clicked:
 Pressure.
 Temperature.
 Liquid Density.
 Vapour Density.
 Enthalpy.
 Entropy.
 Vapour Quality (only at evaporator Inlet Point).
 Mass Flowrate.
188
7.2.2. Plates Detailed Output

When the heat exchangers have been defined in detail the evolution of several
variables is calculated. The "Detailed Output" window is designed to display all
this information.
The variables are grouped into three different groups: Refrigerant, Secondary
Fluid and Wall. Once a group has been selected all the variables from this group
are displayed in the list. When a variable is selected the values of these variables
in the different calculation cases are displayed in the grid below. These values
can be plotted by selecting the desired calculation case in the grid and clicking
on the "Add Graphic" button. The graphs can be removed individually using the
"Delete Graphic" button or can be removed totally by using the "Delete All" button.
The scale of the graph can be modified, but the minimum and maximum values
for each of the axes have to be entered. The new scale can be applied by clicking
on the "Apply Scale" button. The initial scale can be restored by clicking the
"Default Scale" button.
The table of values can be printed by clicking on the "Print Results" button. The
graphs can be printed by clicking on the "Print Graph" button. The results can be
copied to the clipboard by clicking on the "Copy to clipboard" button.
189
7.2.3. Coil Detailed Output

When the heat exchangers have been defined in detail the evolution of several
variables is calculated. The "Detailed Output" window is designed to display all
this information.
The variables are grouped into Refrigerant, Secondary Fluid and Wall. User can
select the variables group in the upper part of the dialog. The user has to select
the variable and the execution case desired in order to show the values in the
screen. Variables plotted are mean values over a tube.
190
8. Refrigerant Properties
This window displays information about the selected refrigerant.
The following data are shown:

 Name: This is the name of the selected refrigerant.
 Composition: When the refrigerant is a combination of the name of each
of its components.
 Molecular Weight: This is the weight of one mole of the selected
refrigerant.
 Map Limits: These are the limits required for evaluating the properties.
o Minimum Saturation Temperature: This is the lowest temperature
at which the saturation properties can be evaluated.
o Maximum Saturation Temperature: This is the highest
temperature at which the saturation properties can be evaluated.
o Minimum Subcooled Temperature: This is the lowest
temperature at which the liquid properties can be evaluated.
o Maximum Superheated Temperature: This is the highest
temperature at which the liquid properties can be evaluated.
o Minimum Pressure: This is the lowest pressure where the
properties can be evaluated.
o Maximum Pressure: This is the highest pressure where the
properties can be evaluated.
 Critical Properties: of refrigerant at the Critical Point.
o Temperature.
o Pressure.
o Density.
191
9. Graphics
In the new “Chart Dialog”, the program has added new features where you can
select a point from a graphic or a point from the environment to see the
information about the coordinate selected. Now the user can save the graphics
like a bitmap file for add in his studies or send them directly to the printer.
9.1. Data Selection

The user can select a point from one of the graphics displayed on the
environment and see the information about the X and Y coordinates with the
graphic name selected in the point data grid below.
The user can select a point from a graphic clicking the left mouse button above
the coordinate to select. Next, the point selected will be highlighted.
Also, the user can change the point selected clicking the left mouse button above
other point or he can change to the next point or the previous point from the
graphic playing with the ‘Data Selection’ bar controls.
192
9.2. Free Selection

With the radio button ‘Free Selection’ checked, the user can select any place from
the environment and see the coordinate selected. When the ‘Free Selection’ is
checked the ‘Data Selection’ bar is disabled.
The coordinates selected by the user are shown in the upper right corner of the
environment with the axis colour.
193
9.3. Zoom
Like in previous versions, the user can re-scale the environment to see more
information about the graphics, as much in X coordinate as in Y coordinate.
Now the user can make a zoom at any place of the environment, in order to see
a point closer or farther, put the x-coordinate limits and the y-coordinates limits in
the edits boxes and click on the ‘Apply Scale’ button. The default scale can be
restored by clicking on the "Default Scales" button.
The other new way is playing with the environment; the user should click down
the right mouse button and drag the cursor to the lower right corner to make a
zoom in above the rectangle drawn. To make a zoom out the user should click
down the right mouse button and drag the cursor in another direction.
194
10. Templates
In the following, a series of templates of different Refrigeration and A/C
equipment is given. These templates are an excellent tool to get in started with
the use of the program and also they allow the user to quickly transform them into
their own input data files.
Celsius scale and SI units system are employed in the following. In any case, if
the user has selected IP units on the working space of the Program he will find
the input data in IP on the screen.
Warning!
Due to the continuous update of the heat transfer and pressure drop
correlations and some other minor changes in the models the results
shown in this section could be slightly different from the results you will
obtain when you run the program with the provided input files. The results
in any case will be similar and the comments made upon them throughout
the text still valid.
10.1. Theoretical cycle

In the following an example of how to perform calculations of theoretical cycles
with the program is shown.
Go to the folder ..\Templates, and load the following file:
Data file: 9.1 Theoretical Cycle
There you will find a unit with the following characteristics. Please notice how the
Constant Evaporator/Condenser Model has been used to perform theoretical
cycle calculations. This model allows you to define the evaporation/condensation
temperature at the outlet/inlet of the evaporator/condenser (dew point for the
evaporator and bubble point for the condenser). The program will then calculate
a cycle satisfying the specified temperatures at the described points. This is the
simplest model available in the program and can be used whenever the user is
not interested in specifying a real geometric input data of the HE. In addition, the
user can specified this option for roughly estimating the required heat transfer
area of the evaporator/condenser in order to approach a given
evaporation/condensation temperature. The following example shows first how
to define a simple unit working with R22 and then a comparative analysis of the
results that can be obtained at the prescribed temperatures by employing a set
of different refrigerants.
195
Refrigerant: R22
Condenser:
Type: Constant Evap/Cond Temperature
Secondary fluid data:
Inlet temp: 30 ºC
Relative Humidity: 50 %
Outlet temperature: 35 ºC
Inlet Press: 101.35 Kpa
Fan/Pump Power 50 W
Heat Exchanger Data:

Condensation temperature (Bubble): 55 ºC
Estimated Pressure drop: 0.0 ºC
Evaporator:
Type: Constant Evap/Cond Temperature
Inlet temp: 20 ºC
Relative Humidity: 50 %
Outlet temperature: 12 ºC
Inlet Press: 101.35 kPa
Fan/Pump Power 50 W

Evaporation temperature (Dew): 10 ºC
Estimated Pressure drop: 0.0 ºC
Compressor:
Compressor displacement: 1E6 cm3/rev
Oil Volume: 0.0 liters
Nominal speed: 60 rpm
Heat Losses: 0 %
Oil circulation rate: 0
Compressor definition:
Constant Efficiencies,
Compressor Efficiency: 100 %
Volumetric Efficiency: 100 %
Operating conditions:
Subcooling: 5.0 ºC
Superheat: 1.0 ºC
Pipes and accessories:

Simplified Calculation,
Additional Subcooling: 0.0 ºC
Additional Superheat: 0.0 ºC
Review the different windows in which the above shown data is input and run the
example. You will find the most important performance parameters at the
196
Summary section of the Results window. You will find a Condensation pressure
of 2175 kPa and an Evaporation pressure of 681 kPa, leading to a COP of 5.023
as a refrigeration machine and a COP of 6.01 as a Heat Pump. Notice that we
have used a 100% value for both volumetric and compressor efficiencies. You
can then easily change those values and check its influence on the COP. Also
notice that a value of 1E6 cm3 has been employed for the compressor
displacement and 60 rpm for the compressor speed. This is an easy way to define
a unitary compressor flow rate of 1m3/s. By using that reference unitary flow rate
the user can easily calculate which are the capacity and the compressor input,
per flow rate unit. Those are standard values that allow the comparison between
different refrigerants and also allow a very easy estimation of the required
compressor displacement for a given cooling or heating duty. For instance, under
the prescribed cycle temperatures, the R22 shows a refrigeration effect of
approximately 4200 kJ/m3 (Cooling capacity in the results). Therefore if a 10 kW
cooling capacity unit were required the necessary compressor inlet flow rate
should be: 10/4200=2.38E-3 m3/s = 8.57 m3/h
Now you can run for instance a parametric study in order to study the
performance of different refrigerants (R22, R407C, R410A, R290 (propane),
R600a (isobutane)) under the prescribed conditions. You will find the following
values at the summary section of the results window.
Condensation Temp. °C 55 55 55 55 55
Evaporation Temp. °C 10 10 10 10 10
Condensation Press. kPa 2175.4 2481.3 3440.5 1907.3 772.95
Evaporation Press. kPa 681.18 645.42 1085.3 637.16 220.53
Condenser
SubCooling K 5 5 5 5 5
Total SubCooling K 5 5 5 5 5
Evaporator Superheat K 1 1 1 1 1
Total SuperHeat K 1 1 1 1 1
COP 5.023 4.2336 4.5044 4.8698 5.169
COP Fan/Pump
Included 5.023 4.2336 4.5044 4.8698 5.169
EER 17.154 14.459 15.383 16.631 17.653
EER Fan/Pump
Included 17.154 14.459 15.383 16.631 17.653
Total Carnot Eff. % 79.829 67.283 71.587 77.394 82.148
Total Carnot Eff.
Fan/Pump Included % 79.829 67.283 71.587 77.394 82.148
COP(HPA) 6.023 5.2336 5.5044 5.8698 6.169
COP(HPA) Fan/Pump
Included 6.023 5.2336 5.5044 5.8698 6.169
EER(HPA) 20.57 17.874 18.799 20.046 21.068
EER(HPA) Fan/Pump
Included 20.57 17.874 18.799 20.046 21.068
TCE(HPA) % 82.595 71.77 75.483 80.494 84.596
TCE(HPA) Fan/Pump
Included % 82.595 71.77 75.483 80.494 84.596
Cooling Capacity kW 4193 3775.2 5835.6 3434.5 1444
197
Heating Capacity kW 5027.7 4666.9 7131.2 4139.8 1723.3

Mass Flowrate kg/s 28.682 27.317 41.648 13.739 5.8419
Comp. Disch. Temp. °C 74.683 73.736 74.7 60.452 55
Power Input kW 834.76 891.73 1295.5 705.27 279.35
Isentropic Eff. % 99.99 99.99 99.99 99.99 99.99
Compressor Eff. % 99.99 99.99 99.99 99.99 99.99
Volumetric Eff. % 99.99 99.99 99.99 99.99 99.99
Refrigerant R22 R407C R410A R290(propane) R600a(isobutane)
Op. Cond. Refrigerant

(*) R22 R407C R410A R290(propane) R600a(isobutane)
In the following, a table with a summary of the enthalpy of evaporation and

condensation and the refrigeration effect and COP values is given for the different
analyzed refrigerants.
Refrigerante Tevap Tcond vsuct (m3/Kg) ∆hevap qv (kJ/m3) ∆hcomp εv (kJ/m3) COP
R22 10 55 0.03486 146.180 4193.345 29.110 835.055 5.022
R407C 10 55 0.03660 138.200 3775.956 32.550 889.344 4.246
R410A 10 55 0.02400 140.120 5838.333 31.110 1296.250 4.504
PROPANE 10 55 0.07278 249.990 3434.872 51.330 705.276 4.870
ISOBUTANE 10 55 0.17116 247.170 1444.087 47.820 279.388 5.169
The refrigeration effect and COP values for each refrigerant is represented in the
following figures. As can be observed, the COP of R22 is superior to the one by
both HFCs (R407C and R410A) but lower than the one reached by a
Hydrocarbon: Iso-butane which has the highest COP. On the other hand, HCs
have the lowest refrigeration effect so that they will require larger compressors.
The highest refrigeration effect is obtained by the R410A which will require the
minimum compressor displacement for a given duty. R407C have both
drawbacks: low COP and low refrigeration effect. Moreover it has a considerable
glide through the HEs.
198
In any case the performed comparison takes only into account the theoretical
cycles. For a much more realistic comparison upon the performance of
refrigeration or Heat Pump equipment using different refrigerants the user can
simply define the geometry and outdoor and indoor conditions for a given
application, using the full features of the program for the detailed modeling of a
system. Then change the refrigerant, and then perform the corresponding
comparison of performance results.
6.000
5.000
4.000
COP
3.000
2.000
1.000
0.000
R22 R407C R410A PROPANO ISOBUTANO
Refrigerant
7000
6000
5000
qv (kJ/m3)
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
R22 R407C R410A PROPANO ISOBUTANO
Refrigerant
199
10.2. Domestic A/C units

The air to air unit is the predominant type of domestic A/C equipment. Split units
are becoming more and more popular. In the following, the template for a typical
small Air to Air split A/C unit is described.
Data file: 9.2 AC-AA (small split)
There you will find a unit with the following characteristics
Refrigerant: R22
Condenser:
Type: Coil
Inlet temp:
Dry: 35 ºC
Wet-bulb: 23.9 ºC
Inlet velocity: 2.0 m/s
Inlet Press: 100 kPa
Fan/Pump Power 30 W

Exchanger Width: 0.5 m
Long spacing: 27.5 mm
Transversal Spacing: 31.75 mm
Tube material: Copper
Outer diameter: 12.7 mm
Thickness: 0.81 mm
Fins Thickness: 0.1 mm
Fins pitch: 1.5 mm
Fins type: Louvered
Material: Aluminium
Circuitry Data
Number of rows: 2
Number of tubes per row: 11
Entry Plane: Front
Distribution: Staggered
Circuit Pattern: U Pattern
Number of circuits: 1
Flow Arrangement: CounterCurrent
200
Evaporator:
Type: Coil
Inlet temp:
Dry: 26.7 ºC
Wet-bulb: 19.4 ºC
Inlet velocity: 2.0 m/s
Inlet Press: 100 kPa
Fan/Pump Power 30 W

Same as condenser heat exchanger
Compressor:
Compressor displacement: 15.66 cm3/rev
Oil Volume: 1.5 liters
Nominal speed: 2900 rpm
Heat Losses: 5 %
Oil circulation rate: 0
Compressor definition:
Single Point Adjustment,
Select compressor type: Rotary
Select Compressor Catalog data … radio button
Power Input: 800 W
Refrigeration capacity: 2.576 kW
Capillary tube:
Length: 0.80 m
Diameter: 1.5 mm

The template includes the full description of the liquid, suction and
discharge lines.
Refrigerant charge:
Charge: 0.85 kg
201
Press the calculate button and run the example. Look into the summary section
of the Working Cycle Results. You will find the following
Condensation Temp. °C 53.423

Evaporation Temp. °C 12.28
Condensation Press. kPa 2100.5
Evaporation Press. kPa 729.35
Condenser SubCooling K 7.5497
Total SubCooling K 7.9149
Evaporator Superheat K 7.7553
Total SuperHeat K 8.556
COP 3.807
COP Fan/Pump Included 3.4684
EER 13.002
EER Fan/Pump Included 11.845
Total Carnot Eff. % 54.877
Total Carnot Eff. Fan/Pump Included % 49.996
COP(HPA) 4.7533
COP(HPA) Fan/Pump Included 4.3305
EER(HPA) 16.233
EER(HPA) Fan/Pump Included 14.79
TCE(HPA) % 59.885
TCE(HPA) Fan/Pump Included % 54.559
Cooling Capacity kW 3.1165
Heating Capacity kW 3.8912
Mass Flowrate kg/s 0.019677
Comp. Disch. Temp. °C 91.933
Power Input kW 0.81863
Isentropic Eff. % 70.353
Compressor Eff. % 66.835
Volumetric Eff. % 88.849
Refrigerant R22
Once you have calculated this example you are able to perform some parametric
studies to investigate for example: the optimum refrigerant charge and subcooling
for a given superheat (in the case of using a thermostatic expansion valve), or
the design of the capillary tube and its effect on the superheat and subcooling, or
how the outdoor temperature influences the unit performance, …
202
Next figure shows the COP, subcooling and superheat on a map of capillary tube
length vs. refrigerant charge. This graph has been obtained using the parametric
studies capability; conducting first a study of variation with capillary tube length
and then of variation with refrigerant charge.
203
10.3. Roof Top

Rooftop conditioners are similar to single-package conditioners except that they
are thoroughly weatherproofed and provide for duct access at the bottom of the
unit. They are popular for air conditioning AT low-store commercial buildings
because they offer substantial savings of space within the building.
Rooftop self-contained air-conditioning units are commonly used on commercial

installations. The sizes range from 10 kW to 450 kW of cooling capacity under
standard rating conditions. In the following an example of AC Roof Top unit of
170 kW is shown.
Data file: 9.3 AC-AA (Roof top)
There you will find a unit with the following characteristics
Refrigerant: R22
Condenser:
Type: Coil
Inlet temp: 35
Relative hum: 35
Inlet velocity: 2.0
Inlet Press: 100

Number of rows: 6
Exchanger Width: 3
Longitudinal Spacing: 44.45
Transversal Spacing: 38.1
Tube Material: Copper
Outer diameter: 19.10 (3/4”)
Thickness: 1.07
Inner Surface: Smooth
Fins Thickness: 0.40
Fins Density: 10
Fins type: Plain
Material: Aluminum
Evaporator:
Type: Coil
Inlet temp: 28
Relative hum: 55
204
Inlet velocity: 2.54

Inlet Press: 100

Number of rows: 5
Exchanger Width: 2
Outer diameter: 19.10 (3/4”)
Thickness: 1.07
Fins Thickness: 0.4064
Fins Density: 8
Fins type: Plain
Material: Aluminum
Compressor:
For this case, have two compressor models, SCH1-6000-FWD and
ZRT600KC-TWE, which data are respectively:
Compressor displacement: 1000, 800

Oil Volume: 9, 11
Nominal speed: 3480, 3480
Heat Losses: 3, 3
Oil Circulation Rate 0, 0
Detailed Compressor Efficiencies definition:

Choose: Coefficient for EN12900 (ARI 540-99) representation of
Compressor power input (W) option.
Coefficients:
SCH1-6000-FWD ZRT600KC-TWE
C1 23700 21800
C2 119.494 1070
C3 402.961 175.573
C4 0.815 25.891
C5 7.728 -39.975
C6 -0.058 4.735
C7 0.015 0.251
C8 0.033 -0.531
C9 -0.064 0.42
C10 0.082 0.025
Press button and Choose: Coefficient for EN12900

(ARI 540-99) representation of Mass flow rate (kg/h) option.
205
Coefficients:
SCH1-6000-FWD ZRT600KC-TWE
C1 3500 3100
C2 113 108.58
C3 3.31 11.3
C4 1.55 1.349
C5 0.131 -0.054
C6 0.0667 -0.354
C7 0.009980 0.00714
C8 -0.004990 -0.000302
C9 -0.00248 0.000102
C10 -0.00366 0.00243
These two compressors offer capacities ranging from 170 to 185 kW.
Superheat: 7.0
Subcooling: 1.0

discharge lines.
206
Once you have calculated this example you can see the most important
performance parameters in the Results dialog box. You will find the following
results.
Inlet Sat. Condenser Temp. °C 52.16
Oulet Sat. Condenser Temp. °C 51.968
Inlet Sat. Evaporation °C 6.3387
Temp.
Outlet Sat. Evaporation °C 5.9398
Temp.
Inlet Condenser Press. kPa 2041.1
Outlet Condenser Press. kPa 2032.1
Inlet Evaporator Press. kPa 609.4
Oulet Evaporator Press. kPa 601.94
Condenser SubCooling K 1
COP 2.931
COP Auxiliary Included 2.7607
EER 10.01
EER Auxiliary Included 9.4283
Total Carnot Eff. Auxiliary % 45.53
Included
COP(HPA) 3.8723
COP(HPA) Auxiliary 3.6473
Included
EER(HPA) 13.225
EER(HPA) Auxiliary 12.456
Included
TCE(HPA) % 54.821
TCE(HPA) Auxiliary % 51.635
Included
Comp. Power Input kW 58.065
Global Power Input kW 61.647
Refrigerant R22
207
208
10.4. Air to Water Air Conditioning

A common roof-top Air-Water chiller is presented in the following.
Data file: 9.4 AC-AW (Chiller)
Data:
Refrigerant: R407C
Condenser:
Type: Coil
Inlet temp: 40
Relative hum: 50
Outlet temp: 45
Inlet Press: 100
Fan/Pump Power 1000

Number of rows: 4
Exchanger Width: 0.85
Outer diameter: 9.52
Thickness: 0.813
Fin Thickness: 0.1
Fin Pitch: 2.1
Fin type: Wavy
Material: Aluminium
Evaporator:
Type: Plates
Secondary fluid: Water
Inlet temp: 12
Outlet Temperature: 7
Inlet Pressure: 200
Fan/Pump Power 15
209
Flow arrangement: Counter-Current

Total number of plates: 46
HPCD: 0.065
VPCD: 0.495
Port Diameter: 30
Channel pitch: 2.35
Channel type: H
Compressor:
Compressor displacement: 144.2
Oil Volume: 1
Nominal speed: 2900
Heat Losses: 1.5
Oil Circulation Rate 0

Define correlation by polynomials coefficients
Polynomial degree: 1
Coefficients
A0: 92.65
A1: -9.67
Detailed Volumetric Efficiencies definition:
Coefficients
A0: 106.86
A1: -3.31
Superheat: 4.0
Liquid receiver (subcooling): 5.0 dm3 (1.0)

discharge lines.
The following table shows the results summary. The total capacity for the
prescribed ambient conditions is 21 kW and the COP 2.57. It is a R407C unit
showing a temperature glide in the evaporator and condenser respectively of
approximately 3 and 5 K. The evaporation temperature at the inlet of evaporator
is 2.27 ºC, and 9.52 ºC at the outlet.

Evaporator Superheat K 4
210
COP 2.5715
EER 8.7823
COP(HPA) 3.5183
EER(HPA) 12.016
TCE(HPA) % 49.064
Refrigerant R407C
211
10.5. Chiller Fan/Pump application

This template explains the use of the Fan/Pump definition tool. It is based on the
template 9.4.
A practical use of this tool is when the designer needs to select a fan/pump for
the cycle designed. The first step is to know the nominal operating point to select
the fan/pump. This point is the consequence of the thermal design needed for the
application or some additional restriction like maximum face velocity in the coil.
This nominal point was achieved in the template 9.4, so now the designer can
search on fan/pump manufacturers’ catalogues for the best fan/pump, which
works the closest to the conditions needed.
Once the data is available, the user introduces them in the program to calculate
the actual performance of the cycle and the actual operating point of these
devices.
The user can also use the power or efficiency curves for evaluating the energy
consumption by them and their impact on the global COP.
In this template, the fan data for both evaporator and condenser has been
introduced using polynomial coefficients. For condenser power the definition has
been used while for evaporator efficiency curve has been selected.
Go to the folder \Templates, and load the following file:
Data file: 9.5 AC-AW (Chiller Fan/Pump)
Data:
Refrigerant: R407C
Condenser:
Type: Coil
Inlet temp: 40
Relative hum: 50
Outlet temp: 45
Inlet Press: 100

Number of rows: 4
Thickness: 0.813
212

Fin Thickness: 0.1
Fin Pitch: 2.1
Fin type: Wavy
Material: Aluminium
In the next image you can see the performance and efficiency fan curves defined
by polynomial coefficients:
Evaporator:
Type: Plates
Inlet temp: 12
Inlet Pressure: 200
213

HPCD: 0.065
VPCD: 0.495
Port Diameter: 30
Channel pitch: 2.35
Channel type: H
In the next image you can see the performance and power pump curves defined
by polynomial coefficients:
Compressor:
Oil Volume: 1
Nominal speed: 2900
Heat Losses: 1.5
214

Coefficients
A0: 92.65
A1: -9.67
Coefficients
A0: 106.86
A1: -3.31
Superheat: 4.0

discharge lines.
The following tables show the condenser and evaporator secondary results:
215
The total capacity for the prescribed ambient conditions is 21.6 kW and the COP
2.69. The evaporation temperature at the inlet of evaporator is 0.6 ºC, and 6 ºC
at the outlet. The following table shows the results summary where the results for
both cases (with and without the use of fan/pump) are shown. The results are
quite close.
Chiller
Chiller (Fan/Pump)
Condensation Temp. °C 50.675 50.105
Evaporation Temp. °C 5.5162 6.0427
Condensation Press. kPa 2251.5 2222.4
Evaporation Press. kPa 556.68 566.45
Condenser SubCooling K 1 1
Total SubCooling K 1.479 1.465
Evaporator Superheat K 4 4
Total SuperHeat K 3.827 3.8256
COP 2.5715 2.689
COP Fan/Pump Included 2.218 2.2528
EER 8.7823 9.1834
EER Fan/Pump Included 7.5748 7.6936
Total Carnot Eff. % 41.672 42.438
216
Total Carnot Eff. Fan/Pump Included % 35.943 35.554

COP(HPA) 3.5183 3.6357
COP(HPA) Fan/Pump Included 3.0346 3.0459
EER(HPA) 12.016 12.417
EER(HPA) Fan/Pump Included 10.364 10.402
TCE(HPA) % 49.064 49.558
TCE(HPA) Fan/Pump Included % 42.318 41.518
Cooling Capacity kW 21.02 21.66
Heating Capacity kW 28.759 29.286
Mass Flowrate kg/s 0.14994 0.15318
Comp. Disch. Temp. °C 88.141 86.392
Power Input kW 8.1741 8.0551
Isentropic Eff. % 65.106 65.965
Compressor Eff. % 64.13 64.976
Volumetric Eff. % 93.316 93.718
Refrigerant R407C R407C
3
Air flow rate in condenser m /h 18437 20774
3
Water flow rate in evaporator m /h 3.6177 4.6784
Simulation of the system with an actual fan and pump modifies the fluids flow
rate. So, this fact will change some important design parameters of the heat
exchangers, some of them are:
- Air face velocity: The air face velocity has been increased a 10%
respect the nominal value.
- Water outlet temperature: The new water flow rate is greater than
the nominal, so the outlet temperature (8 ºC) is greater than the
supply demand temperature (7 ºC).
In this case, the COP has been increased but some important design parameters
are not satisfied. The designer could choose another fan and pump to get a less
flow rate in each heat exchanger, in this way it would be possible to satisfy the
design requirements, but with a COP lower than in the nominal point.
217
10.6. Air to Water Heat Pump

The roof-top Air-Water chiller unit described in the previous section can be also
used for heating purposes. In the following, an example of the same unit
considered as reversible and providing heating is presented. The main difference
between both examples is that the heat exchangers are both and reversed and
the operating conditions have changed. In this example it has been assumed that
the preferred operation mode is “cooling” so that the evaporator and condenser
are in co-current mode under heating operation when the unit is reversed.
Data file: 9.6 HP-AW (AW Heat pump)
Data:
Refrigerant: R407C
Condenser:
Type: Plates
Inlet temp: 45
Inlet Pressure: 200
Fan/Pump Power 30

HPCD: 0.065
VPCD: 0.495
Port Diameter: 30
Channel pitch: 2.35
Channel type: H
Evaporator:
Type: Coil
Inlet temp: 5
Relative hum: 80
Inlet velocity: 2.3
Inlet Press: 100
Fan/Pump Power 200

Number of rows: 4
218

Thickness: 0.813
Fin Thickness: 0.1
Fin Pitch: 2.1
Fin type: Wavy
Material: Aluminium
Compressor:
Oil Volume: 1
Nominal speed: 2900
Heat Losses: 1.5

Coefficients
A0: 92.65
A1: -9.67
Coefficients
A0: 106.86
A1: -3.31
Superheat: 4.0

discharge lines.
The following table shows the results summary. The total heating capacity for the
prescribed ambient conditions is almost 22 kW with a COP of 1.66. The COP for
heating is quite low due to the high temperature difference between the cold
outdoor ambient and the high water temperature used in hydraulic heating
system. A special penalty in the COP is paid for the R407C glide through the
evaporator working in co-current mode. In the presented example, the
temperature of the hot water supplied by the HP is 50 ºC. This is an adequate
value for hydraulic heating loops but, as it has been shown, it will require a very
219
high condensation temperature and therefore the COP will be quite low. This is
one of the reasons why modern heating systems with HPs tend to work with much
lower water temperatures, for instance radiant floor heating technology.

Evaporation Temp. °C -4.1724
Condensation Press. kPa 2237
COP 1.66
EER 5.6691
COP(HPA) 2.6048
EER(HPA) 8.896
TCE(HPA) % 43.929
Refrigerant R407C
220
10.7. Groundwater Heat Pump

The groundwater systems take advantage of the quite constant value of the
groundwater all over the year to use it for condensation or evaporation as the
secondary heat source of the Cooling/HP unit. Groundwater is extracted from a
supplied well by means of a submersible well pump and is discharged to a
recharge well. In the following an example of Groundwater Heat Pump Water to
Air unit with approximately 21 kW heating capacity is presented.
Data file: 9.7 HP-WA (Groundwater HP)
Data:
Refrigerant: R22
Condenser:
Type: Coil
Inlet temp: 21
Relative hum: 40
Inlet velocity: 2.5
Inlet Press: 100
Fan/Pump Power 150

Number of rows: 4
Thickness: 0.813
Fin Thickness: 0.1
Fin Density: 12
Fin type: Wavy
Material: Aluminium
Evaporator:
Type: Plates
221
Inlet temp: 15
Inlet Pressure: 200
Fan/Pump Power 40

HPCD: 0.040
VPCD: 0.432
Port Diameter: 19.05
Channel pitch: 2.24
Channel type: H
Compressor:
Oil Volume: 8
Nominal speed: 2900
Heat Losses: 5
Oil circulation rate (OCR): 0
Coefficient for EN12900 (ARI 540-99) representation of
Compressor power input (W) option and Mass flow rate (kg/h).
Power Input Mass flow rate

Coefficients (W) (kg/h)
C1 2415.260694 314.3026146
C2 18.73825593 10.64235139
C3 -6.22036318 1.45453902
C4 0.36380926 0.12846035
C5 -0.53043143 0.00947017
C6 1.06681783 -0.03095672
C7 0.00353569 0.00082029
C8 -0.00340207 -0.0002371
C9 0.00288342 -0.00008774
C10 0.00004406 0.00007369
Superheat: 10.0
Pipes:
discharge lines.
222
Once you have calculated this example, you can found the most important
parameters of the system in the Results dialog box. The high value of EER
obtained [EER (HPA): 20.656 must be highlighted. This is possible thanks to the
relatively high temperature of the groundwater extracted from the well (15ºC),
much higher than the corresponding outdoor air temperature in winter conditions.
The following table shows the results summary:

COP 5.1372
EER 17.545
COP(HPA) 6.0483
EER(HPA) 20.656
TCE(HPA) % 58.741
Refrigerant R22
223
10.8. Ground coupled Water to Water

Chiller
The Ground coupled systems take advantage of the massive thermal capacity of
the earth which provides a temperature-stabilizing effect on the cooling or heating
duties. In the following an example of Water-Water Air conditioning unit (ground
coupled chiller) of approximately 17 kW of refrigeration capacity is presented.
Data file: 9.8 AC-WW (Ground coupled chiller)
Data:
Refrigerant: R290(propane)
Condenser:
Type: Plates
Inlet temp: 18
Outlet temp: 23
Inlet Press: 200
Fan/Pump Power 40

HPCD: 0.063
VPCD: 0.50
Port Diameter: 30
Channel pitch: 2.35
Channel type: H
Evaporator:
Type: Plates
Inlet temp: 12
Outlet temp: 7
Inlet Press: 200
Fan/Pump Power 20

HPCD: 0.063
224
VPCD: 0.50
Port Diameter: 30
Channel pitch: 2.35
Channel type: H
Compressor:
Oil Volume: 1.5
Nominal speed: 2900
Heat Losses: 5.0
Define correlation for Compressor Efficiency:

Define correlation by points:
Number of points: 6
Pressure Ratio 1.00 2.09 2.71 4.09 5.81 7.88

Compressor Effic. (%) 33.6 67.2 71.8 66.4 56.7 44.6
Define correlation for volumetric Efficiency:

Define correlation by points:
Number of points: 4
Pressure Ratio 1.5 2.09 3.91 5.47 7.88

Volumetric Effic. (%) 97 97.7 92.2 88.1 75.9
Subcooling: 5.0
Superheat: 5.0
Pipes:
discharge lines.
Once you have calculated this example, you can found the most important
performance parameters of the system in the Results dialog box. Notice that this
example deals with a unit using propane as refrigerant. You can also run the
same example with R22 and then compare the performance of the unit with both
refrigerants R22 and propane. You will find that propane is an excellent
refrigerant providing very high COP with lower discharge temperatures. There is
always a small penalty on the cooling capacity compared with R22 but that is a
minor drawback. Of course the main disadvantage of propane is its flammability.
However, you can observe that the unit is able to properly provide a considerable
high cooling capacity with less than 500 g of propane. Which in fact is a very low
mass so minimizing the possible risk of an accident due to its flammability.
225
In the following figures you will find the results of a parametric study performed
for a similar unit used as Heat Pump (producing hot water at 45 ºC from water
coming from the ground coupled heat exchanger at 10 ºC) about the influence of
varying the charge of the unit upon the resulting subcooling and COP. Also
experimental results for the same unit are shown. You will find a very good
agreement between experimental and calculated results. The dependence of
COP with the refrigerant charge is characteristic of this kind of equipment. They
do not incorporate any liquid receiver or accumulator. Therefore, when the charge
is increased the refrigerant must go mainly to the condenser thus the subcooling
must increase. The effect of increasing the subcooling is always positive for the
cycle so it provides an increase on COP. However, the subcooling is obtained by
increasing the condensation temperature and this has a penalty on the COP.
These two opposite effects make possible the existence of one optimal charge
dealing to the maximum COP. Both experiments and calculations indicate that
that value is around 500 g for this unit. The distribution of the refrigerant along
the different components of the unit is also shown at the bottom figures.
4.0
Experiments
IMST-ART 12 Experiments
3.9 IMST-ART
10
3.8
8
Subcooling (K)
3.7
COP
6
3.6
4
3.5
2
3.4
0
350 400 450 500 550
350 600
400 650
450 500 550 600 650
Refrigerant charge (g) Refrigerant charge (g)
Liquid line Suction line
8% 2% Evaporator Total
Discharge 660
line 17%
600
4%
540
480
Refrigerant charge (g)
Condenser
420
360
300
Compressor 240
17% Compressor
180
Condenser 120
52% Evaporator
60
Pipes
0
0 4 8 12
Subcooling (K)
226
10.9. Domestic refrigerator

Domestic refrigerators are designed to store refrigerated food but also normally
include a low temperature box to store frozen food. Old refrigerators used just
one compressor with two evaporators. Two evaporators system modeling (at two
different temperature levels) is not currently available in IMST – ART. Modern
refrigerators incorporate one separated circuit for each zone. In the following an
example of modeling of both circuits low and medium temperature for a domestic
refrigerator is presented.
10.9.1. Refrigerated cabinet

Data file: 9.9.1 Domestic refrigerator
Data:
Refrigerant: R134a
Condenser:
Type: Coil
Inlet temp: 30
Relative hum: 35
Outlet temp: 30.51
Inlet Press: 100
Fan/Pump Power 130

Number of rows: 1
Longitudinal Spacing: 22
Transversal Spacing: 75
Thickness: 0.76
Fins Thickness: 0.1
Fins Pitch: 6
Fins type: Plain
Material: Aluminium
Evaporator:
Type: Total area
227

Inlet temp: 5
Relative hum: 90
Outlet temp: 2.0
Inlet Press: 100
Fan/Pump Power 130

Heat transfer area: 0.5
Calculation of heat trans.: Constant
Coefficients: 40.0
Compressor:
Oil Volume: 3.20
Nominal speed: 2900
Heat Losses: 5
NL10FT LBP (350 W)

Coefficients Power Input Mass flow rate
(kW) (kg/h)
C1 526.120401 26.11538009
C2 -7.92222222 0.82522638
C3 -23.17519264 -0.4471407
C4 -0.25666667 0.01058119
C5 0.343 -0.00450068
C6 0.70183699 0.00821507
C7 -0.00394444 0.00005931
C8 0.0005 -0.0000038
C9 -0.0027 0.00003897
C10 -0.00602472 -0.00005643
Subcooling: 5.0
Capillary tube:
Diameter: 0.9
Length: 1.6
Calculation method: ASHRAE Correlation
Pipes:
discharge lines.
228
Run the example and find the following results.

Evaporation Press. kPa 173
COP 1.1668
EER 3.9848
COP(HPA) 2.054
EER(HPA) 7.0148
TCE(HPA) % 39.135
Refrigerant R134a
229
10.9.2. Freezer
Data file: 9.9.2 Domestic freezer
Data:
Refrigerant: R134a
Condenser:
Type: Coil
Inlet temp: 30
Relative hum: 35
Outlet temp: 30.51
Inlet Press: 100
Fan/Pump Power 30

Number of rows: 1
Longitudinal Spacing: 22
Transversal Spacing: 75
Thickness: 0.76
Fins Thickness: 0.1
Fins Pitch: 6
Fins type: Plain
Material: Aluminium
Evaporator:
Type: Total area
Inlet temp: -5
Relative hum: 90
Outlet temp: -10.0
Inlet Press: 100
Fan/Pump Power 30

Heat transfer area: 0.25
Calculation of heat trans.: Constant
Coefficients: 80.0
230
Compressor:
Oil Volume: 0.35
Nominal speed: 2900
Heat Losses: 5
FR10F LBP (200 W)

Coefficients Power Input Mass flow rate
(kW) (kg/h)
C1 375.4126716 23.26182195
C2 3.63765719 0.45396403
C3 -10.36631717 -0.68064159
C4 0.04767588 0.00462407
C5 0.10762478 0.00238768
C6 0.32462879 0.01529617
C7 -0.00017778 0.00001524
C8 0.00027387 0.00005573
C9 -0.00023729 -0.00001002
C10 -0.00268275 -0.00011719
Subcooling: 5.0
Capillary tube:
Diameter: 0.8
Length: 2.3
Calculation method: ASHRAE Correlation
Pipes:
discharge lines.
Run the example and find the following results.

COP 1.1428
231

EER 3.903
COP(HPA) 1.9783
EER(HPA) 6.7561
TCE(HPA) % 37.423
Refrigerant R134a
These two systems are a good example of refrigeration circuit including a

capillary tube as expansion device. The user must take into account that if a
capillary tube is employed as expansion device the superheat is a result of the
modeling. For instance, in the above shown examples the resulting superheat are
1.58 and 11.28 K. Below you can find the results of a parametric study varying
the capillary tube length for the refrigerator case. It can be observed that a
capillary tube length of 1.63 m is required to have a 10 K superheat at the inlet of
the compressor. Notice the extreme sensitivity of the superheat with the capillary
tube length.
Condensation Temp. °C 47.34 47.314 47.287 47.261 47.234 47.207

Evaporation Temp. °C -13.723 -13.794 -13.864 -13.933 -14.003 -14.071
Condensation Press. kPa 1232.1 1231.3 1230.5 1229.7 1228.9 1228
Evaporation Press. kPa 173 172.5 172 171.5 171.01 170.52
Condenser SubCooling K 5 5 5 5 5 5
Total SubCooling K 6.0382 6.0401 6.0419 6.0437 6.0456 6.0474
Evaporator Superheat K 1.5717 2.7599 3.9477 5.1349 6.3213 7.5071
Total SuperHeat K 4.1906 5.2753 6.3595 7.4433 8.5264 9.609
COP 1.1668 1.1737 1.1805 1.1873 1.1941 1.2009
COP Fan/Pump Included 1.1553 1.1621 1.1688 1.1755 1.1822 1.1889
EER 3.9848 4.0082 4.0316 4.0549 4.0782 4.1014
EER Fan/Pump Included 3.9457 3.9687 3.9917 4.0147 4.0376 4.0604
Total Carnot Eff. % 27.464 27.653 27.841 28.03 28.218 28.405
232
Total Carnot Eff. Fan/Pump

Included % 27.194 27.38 27.566 27.751 27.937 28.121
COP(HPA) 2.054 2.0591 2.0643 2.0694 2.0745 2.0796
COP(HPA) Fan/Pump
Included 2.0338 2.0389 2.0439 2.0488 2.0538 2.0588
EER(HPA) 7.0148 7.0324 7.0499 7.0673 7.0847 7.1021
EER(HPA) Fan/Pump
Included 6.9459 6.9631 6.9801 6.9972 7.0141 7.0311
TCE(HPA) % 39.135 39.265 39.394 39.522 39.651 39.778
TCE(HPA) Fan/Pump
Included % 38.751 38.878 39.004 39.13 39.256 39.381
Cooling Capacity kW 0.34359 0.345 0.34641 0.34781 0.34919 0.35057
Heating Capacity kW 0.60485 0.6053 0.60575 0.60619 0.60663 0.60706
0.00257 0.00256 0.00255 0.00255 0.00254 0.00253
Mass Flowrate kg/s 59 73 89 05 21 39
Comp. Disch. Temp. °C 120.77 121.72 122.67 123.62 124.56 125.51
Power Input kW 0.29447 0.29396 0.29344 0.29293 0.29242 0.29192
Isentropic Eff. % 39.422 39.634 39.845 40.056 40.266 40.476
Compressor Eff. % 37.451 37.652 37.853 38.053 38.253 38.452
Volumetric Eff. % 63.492 63.787 64.086 64.388 64.694 65.003
Refrigerant R134a R134a R134a R134a R134a R134a
Op. Cond. Capillary Tube

Length (*) m 1.6 1.61 1.62 1.63 1.64 1.65
233
10.10. Refrigeration system (Air to air

system)
Refrigeration systems involve a great number of different applications. In the
following an example of medium cold temperature storage room is presented with
an Air to Air refrigeration unit of approximately 20 tons capacity. The example is
shown in SI units but the user can switch the IP units to check the original input
data for the system.
Data file: 9.10 Ref-AA (Refrigeration system)
Data:
Refrigerant: R22
Condenser:
Type: Coil
Inlet temp: 26.67
Relative hum: 35
Inlet Press: 100
Fan/Pump Power 4500

Number of rows: 5
Exchanger Width: 2
Thickness: 1.07
Fin Thickness: 0.1
Fin Density: 10
Fin type: Plain
Material: Aluminium
Evaporator:
Type: Coil
Inlet temp: 4.44
234
Relative hum: 90
Inlet Press: 100
Fan/Pump Power 2000

Number of rows: 5
Exchanger Width: 2
Thickness: 1.07
Fin Thickness: 0.1
Fin Density: 8
Fin type: Plain
Material: Aluminium
Compressor:
Title: 6 cylinder - 25 tons
Oil Volume: 11.36
Nominal speed: 1750
Heat Losses: 3
Single point adjustment:
Compressor type: Reciprocating-semihermetic
Compressor catalog data:
Refrigerant: R22
Conditions: User defined
Evaporation temp: -3.89
Condensation temp: 40.56
Subcooling: 5.56
Superheat: 5.56
Refrigeration capacity: 87.84
Power Input: 27000
Superheat: 5.56
Subcooling: 5.56
Pipes:
discharge lines.
235
When you calculate this example you will find a warning message indicating that
it is possible to find frost on the evaporator. This message is generated when the
wall temperature at the evaporator falls below 0 ºC at some point. Please take
into account that frost formation is not included in the evaporator model. The
program employs adequate heat transfer and pressure drop correlations for the
air side under dehumidification conditions but no correlation is available for
frosting conditions.
The following table shows the results summary:

Condenser SubCooling K 5.56
COP 2.7293
EER 9.3211
COP(HPA) 3.6807
EER(HPA) 12.57
TCE(HPA) % 59.628
Refrigerant R22
236
10.11. Sec. Loop Refrigeration system

(Air to brine system)
One of the largest consumers of energy in supermarkets is Refrigeration. Typical
systems consist in several compressors piped to common suction and discharge
manifolds. Liquid refrigerant returning from the condenser is piped into a liquid
receiver and then into a distribution manifold, from which the refrigerant is
distributed to cases and coolers. In the following an example of such a system
providing a Propylene Glycol-Water flow at approximately 30 ºC below zero (-30
ºC), is presented.
Data file: 9.11 Ref-AW (Sec loop ref system)
Data:
Refrigerant: R22
Condenser:
Type: Coil
Inlet temp: 32
Relative hum: 35
Inlet velocity: 1.5
Inlet Press: 100
Fan/Pump Power 18000

Number of rows: 6
Exchanger Width: 2
Thickness: 1.07
Fin Thickness: 0.1
Fin Density: 8
Fin type: Plain
Material: Aluminium
Evaporator:
Type: Plates
237

Secondary fluid: Propylen Glycol/Water
Inlet temp: -20.5
Outlet temp: -24
Inlet Press: 200
Fan/Pump Power 600

HPCD: 0.314
VPCD: 0.664
Port Diameter: 30
Channel pitch: 2.35
Channel type: H
Compressor:
Compressor displacement: 1000
Oil Volume: 8
Nominal speed: 2900
Heat Losses: 5
Scale Factor: 1
Default Efficiencies:
Compressor type: Reciprocating-semihermetic
Superheat: 5.0
Liquid Receiver: 10.0 dm3 (1 K)
Pipes:
discharge lines.
When you run the example you will find the following results.

COP 2.2347
238
EER 7.6318
COP(HPA) 3.1823
EER(HPA) 10.868
TCE(HPA) % 72.37
Refrigerant R22
Notice the low value of COP for this application. It is mainly due to the high
pressure ratio between the condensing temperature (ambient air in a hot day)
and the evaporation temperature necessary to produce a brine flow at low
temperature -24 ºC. If a higher compressor ratio is required then it is necessary
to employ a two stage compression with intermediate cooling or a cascade cycle.
Also notice in the refrigerant folder of the evaporator results folder, that a pressure
drop of approx. 0.7043 bar is generated by the brine flow through the PHE
requiring approx. 1447.9 W of pumping work (plus pump+motor losses). These
results refer to the evaporator secondary fluid, assuming a constant efficiency of
70%.
239
10.12. Display cabinet

An example of supermarket display cabinet (case) for refrigerated food is
presented in the following.
Go to the folder ...\Templates, and load the following file:
Data file: 9.12 Display cabinet
Data:
Refrigerant: R134a
Condenser:
Type: Coil
Inlet temp: 30
Relative hum: 50
Inlet velocity: 2.0
Inlet Press: 100
Fan/Pump Power 80

Number of rows: 4
Thickness: 0.813
Fins Thickness: 0.1
Fins Pitch: 2.1
Fins type: Plain
Material: Aluminium
Evaporator:
Type: Coil
Inlet temp: 3.5
Relative hum: 90
Inlet Press: 100
Fan/Pump Power 25
240

Number of rows: 3
Thickness: 0.813
Fins Thickness: 0.1
Fins Pitch: 3.0
Fins type: Plain
Material: Aluminium
Compressor:
Oil Volume: 1.8
Nominal speed: 2900
Heat Losses: 5
Catalogue Data Compressor definition:

Following data from manufacturer’s catalogue has to be introduced:
241
Superheat: 5.0
Subcooling: 5.0
Pipes:
discharge lines.
When you run the example you will find the following results. You will find in this
example a warning about possible frost formation at the evaporator. Frost
formation could be avoided by increasing the evaporator size or the air flow rate
through the evaporator (for instance just by increasing the face velocity up to 1.5
m/s would be enough to avoid it).

COP 2.6938
EER 9.1999
COP(HPA) 3.6472
EER(HPA) 12.456
TCE(HPA) % 52.83
Refrigerant R134a
242
10.13. Ice Rink System

The category of “ice rink” includes all types of ice sheets, indoors or outdoors,
created for recreation such as skating, hockey, and curling. The rinks are usually
made by laying down a series of pipes coils below the level of the design surface
of the ice. A secondary fluid (brine), such as glycol, methanol, or calcium chloride
solution, circulates through the coils from a central chilling system.
The temperature of the ice for hockey is –5 ºC, for figure skating –3 ºC, and for
recreational skating –3 to –2 ºC. Average brine temperature is 5 ºC lower than
the required ice temperature. The temperature differential between supply and
return brine is approximately 1 ºC.
An example for Ice Rink application is presented. You can find it in the folder
...\Templates
Data file: 9.13 Ice Rink (PHE- Conde, Cond-Coil)
Data:
Refrigerant: R22
Condenser-1 (PHE- Condenser):

Type: Plates
Inlet temp: 14
Inlet Press: 200
Inlet flow rate: 40
Fan/Pump Power 300

HPCD: 0.317
VPCD: 0.761
Port Diameter 30
Plate pitch: 2.35
Channel Type: H
Condenser-2 (Cond-Coil)
Type: Coil
Inlet temp: 14
Inlet velocity: 2.0
Inlet Press: 100
Fan/Pump Power: 6000
Relative hum: 60
243

Number of rows: 5
Longit. Spacing: 29.4
Transvers. Spacing 33.3
Tube material Copper
Thickness 1.14
Fin Thickness: 0.1
Fin pitch: 2.1
Fins type: Plain
Material: Aluminium
Evaporator (PHE-Evaporator):
Type: Plates
Secondary fluid: Ethylen Glycol/Water
Inlet temp: -5
Inlet Press: 200
Inlet flow rate: 40
Fan/Pump Power 250
HPCD: 0.317
VPCD: 0.761
Port Diameter: 30
Plate Pitch: 2.35
Channel Type: H
Compressor:
Compressor displacement: 3000
Oil Volume: 3.1
Nominal speed: 2900
Heat Losses: 5
Compressor Efficiencies definition:
Push Default Efficiencies
Choose: Screw
Superheat: 5.0
Subcooling: 5.0
Pipes:
244
discharge lines.
Two different possible options for the condenser have been considered: a Plate
Fin and Tube Coil and a Plate Heat Exchanger using maybe ground water for
condensing purposes. Temperature of the air and ground water have been
considered the same (14 ºC). This is just to compare in the best case for the ir
conditions (maybe Spring season) the differences in performance between the
two systems. The difference during Fall or Winter seasons will be much higher
due to the fact that the ground water keeps at quite constant temperature all over
the year, in contrast with air temperature which experiences huge variations. The
user can easily perform an analysis at different operation temperatures and
deduce the corresponding seasonal COP for both systems. For the conditions
considered in this example, using a coil as condenser results in a COP of 3.36,
with a cooling capacity 288.95 kW and a compressor power input of 85.985 kW.
Using a PHE as condenser results in a COP 4.07 with a cooling capacity of 292.3
kW and a compressor power input of 71.808 kW. Therefore, even in the case that
the temperatures of both secondary fluids: air and water, are the same, the heat
transfer characteristics of the PHE allows to reach a better COP.
PHE-
Cond-Coil Condenser
Condensation Temp. °C 24.9 21.708
Evaporation Temp. °C -14.84 -14.994
Condensation Press. kPa 1041.3 954.56
Evaporation Press. kPa 298.29 296.59
Condenser SubCooling K 5 5
Total SubCooling K 4.9999 4.9973
Evaporator Superheat K 5 5
Total SuperHeat K 5.1095 5.1117
COP 3.3605 4.0706
COP Fan/Pump Included 3.1353 4.0346
EER 11.477 13.902
EER Fan/Pump Included 10.708 13.779
Total Carnot Eff. % 51.699 57.871
Total Carnot Eff. Fan/Pump Included % 48.235 57.36
COP(HPA) 4.3086 5.0196
COP(HPA) Fan/Pump Included 4.0199 4.9752
EER(HPA) 14.715 17.143
EER(HPA) Fan/Pump Included 13.729 16.991
TCE(HPA) % 57.447 62.481
TCE(HPA) Fan/Pump Included % 53.598 61.928
Cooling Capacity kW 288.95 292.3
Heating Capacity kW 370.47 360.45
Mass Flowrate kg/s 1.6171 1.6014
Comp. Disch. Temp. °C 76.722 62.932
Power Input kW 85.985 71.808
245
Isentropic Eff. % 71.3 70.129

Compressor Eff. % 67.735 66.623
Volumetric Eff. % 88.022 87.639
Refrigerant R22 R22
246
10.14. Low temperature Freezer

application
A cascade system is exemplified for a freezer application. The temperature of the
air in the freezer is set to be –35°C. Outside air with a temperature of 30°C is
used for heat rejection from the system.
Data file: 9.14 Low Temp Freezer (cascade-ammonia)
The cascade system comprises two single stage cycles, as is shown in the figure.
The low temperature stage uses CO2 as refrigerant, the high temperature stage
NH3 (ammonia). An advantage with CO2 in the low temperature stage is that the
volumetric cooling capacity is quite high even at low temperatures. This has the
benefit that the compressor as well as tubes and evaporator will have smaller
dimensions than with ammonia in both stages.
In the cascade system there is an intermediate heat exchanger that serves as

the condenser for the low temperature stage and evaporator for the high
temperature stage. The refrigerants chosen have excellent heat transfer
characteristics and the temperature difference in the intermediate
condenser/evaporator is set to 5 °C. The intermediate temperature at the design
point is –5 °C (condensing CO2) and –10°C (evaporating NH3).
In the tables Ammonia stage data, points to define compressor efficiencies and
CO2 stage data you can will find the needed data in both simulated stages.
The initial step is to calculate the high temperature stage. For it, introduce all data
given in the corresponding tables. Once the high temperature stage has been
calculated, the calculated cooling capacity is 111.1 kW and the low temperature
stage Heating capacity must match this value in order to have a right solution of
247
the whole system. Next, replace the corresponding values in order to have the
data for low temperature stage. This is possible selecting the correct item for the
evaporator, the condenser, the compressor and the refrigerant, in the
corresponding combo box in the main window:
- change the evaporator from infinitely large evap to CO2 evaporator.
- change the condenser from ammonia condenser to infinitely large
cond.
- change the refrigerant from ammonia to CO2.
- change the compressor from ammonia compressor to CO2
compressor.
Do not forget change the subcooling and superheat to the correct values, that is,
the values done in the CO2 stage table data as operative parameters.
Once the system has been calculated, you can see that the heating capacity for
the low temperature stage match with the corresponding value of the cooling
capacity in the high temperature stage. It doesn’t matter if don’t match exactly the
same values.
Now we can calculate the COP for whole system as:
COP freezer = (Low temperature stage Cooling capacity)/(Total power input)

COP freezer =86.15/(33.03+29.86)
COP freezer = 1.37
Ammonia stage
Condenser Compressor
Heat Exchanger Definition Compressor definition
Ammonia
Title condenser Title Ammonia compressor
Type Plates Compressor displacement 1000
Secondary Fluid Water Oil volume 1.5
Inlet temperature 20 Nominal speed 2900
Inlet pressure 200 Heat losses 0
Fan/Pump Power 15 Oil circulation rate 0
Inlet flow rate 5 Detailed Efficiencies definition
Define correlation for
HE data Select option compressor efficiency
Choose correlation Compressor
Counter- Efficiency.vs.Pressure
Flow arragement current Ratio
Define correlation by
Total number of plates 50 Select option points
HPCD 0.345 Number of points 7
Points In comppresor
efficiency definition
VPCD 0.701 table
Port diameter 30 Detailed Volumetric efficiency definition
248
Select option Define correlation for

Plate Pitch 2.35 volumetric efficiency
Choose correlation Volumetric
Efficiency.vs.Pressure
Channel Type H Ratio
Define correlation by
Evaporator Select option points
Heat Exchanger Definition Number of points 6
In comppresor
Infinitely large efficiency definition
Title evap Points table
Type Total Area Operative parameters
Secondary Fluid Air Subcooling 1
Inlet temperature -5 superheat 0
Additional subcooling
Inlet pressure 100 (accesories) 2
Addtional superheat
Outlet temperature -10 (accesories) 2
Inlet Relative humidity 50 Refrigerant Ammonia
HE data
Heat Transfer Area 1000
Calculation of Heat Transfer Coeficiency
Choose option Constant
Coefficients 1800
Table: Ammonia stage data
Pressure ratio 3 4 5 6 8 10 12
Compressor efficiency (%) 76.70 79.00 78.70 77.80 73.30 68.40 63.20
Pressure ratio 3 4 6 8 10 12
Volumetric efficiency (%) 91.50 90.90 89.70 87.70 86.00 84.30
Table: Points to define the Compressor efficiencies
CO2 stage
Condenser Tube material
Heat Exchanger Definition Tube material Stainless Steel
Title Infinitely large Outer diameter 9.52 (3/8")
cond
Type Total Area Thickness 1
Secondary Fluid Air Inner suface Smooth
Inlet temperature -10 Fins data
Inlet pressure 100 Fins thickness 0.1
Outlet temperature -5 Fin Pitch 5
Inlet Relative
humidity 50 Fin type Plain
HE data Material Aluminium
Heat Transfer Area 1000 Compressor
Calculation of Heat Transfer Coeficiency Compressor definition
Choose option Constant Title CO2 compressor
249
Compressor
Coefficients 1800 displacement 400
Evaporator Oil volume 1
Heat Exchanger Definition Nominal speed 2900
Title CO2 evaporator Heat losses 5
Type Oil circulation rate 0
Secondary Fluid Coil Default Efficiency
Inlet temperature Air Select option Default Efficiency
Inlet pressure Select compressor type Reciprocating-
-35 semihermetic
Fan/Pump Power 0 Operative parameters
Inlet Velocity 2.5 Subcooling 0
Inlet Relative
humidity 50 superheat 2
Additional subcooling
HE data (accesories) 2
Addtional superheat
Flow arragement Co-current (accesories) 2
Number of rows 6 Refrigerant CO2
Mumber of tube per 50
row
Excharger Witdh 5
Longitudinal spacing 22
Transversal spacing 25.4
Number of circuits 50
Table: CO2 stage data
250
10.15. Dehumidifying Coil - Dryer

A dehumidifying coil normally removes both moisture and sensible heat from
entering air. In most air-conditioning process, the air to be cooled is a mixture of
water vapour and dry air gases. Both lose sensible heat when in contact with a
surface colder than the air. Latent heat is removed through condensation only on
the parts of the coil where the surface temperature is lower than dew point of the
air passing over it.
Next, a dehumidifying coil (dryer) is simulated, in distribution file is found as dryer.
Data file: 9.15 Dryer
The heat exchanger and compressor data is presented in the table dryer data.
The air incoming of the system

pass initially through the evaporator
where the air is cooled and
dehumidified. After, the air is
heated in the condenser and then
the relative humidity decrease.
The outlet temperature in the

evaporator is the inlet temperature
in the condenser, and similar for the
relative humidity.
Selecting the Dehumidifier Mode in the Working Cycle window is possible to

simulate this cycle easily.
Now we can calculate some system performance parameter, for example, the
ratio between the condensed mass flow rate and the compressor power input,
like to the COP in the air-conditioning systems. For this cases, resulting in
12.5/3.45 = 3.62 kg/h/kW.
Next we are going to verify the influence of the evaporator fins pitch over the
performance of the system.
We will vary the fin pitch from 3 mm to 15 mm. In the table Summary of results
for varying the fins pitch in a dryer system below, we can see a summary of
the results for this study.
251
13.20 36.00
13.00 35.90
35.80
Condensed Mass Flow Rate [kg/h]
12.80
35.70
12.60
Temperature [ºC]
35.60
12.40
35.50
12.20
35.40
12.00
35.30
11.80
35.20
11.60 35.10
11.40 35.00
3 5 7 9 11 13 15
Fin Pitch [mm]
Evaporator Condensed Mass Flow Rate Condenser Outlet Temperature
In the above figure, the influence of the fin pitch over the condensed mass flow
rate and the condenser air outlet temperature is shown. As can be observed, both
the condensed mass flow rate and outlet temperature grow up until reach a more
or less asymptotic value.
252
Dryer
Evaporator Condenser Compressor
Heat Exchanger Definition Heat Exchanger Definition Compressor definition
Title Evaporator Title Condenser Title MTZ64-4
Compressor
Type Coil Type Coil displacement 107.71
Secondary Fluid Air Secondary Fluid - Oil volume 1
Inlet temperature 30 Inlet temperature - Nominal speed 2900
Inlet pressure 100 Inlet pressure - Heat losses 5
Fan/Pump Power 40 Fan/Pump Power 30 Oil circulation rate 0
Inlet Velocity 1.15 Inlet Velocity -
Inlet Relative
humidity 70 Inlet Relative humidity - Default Efficiency
HE data HE data Select option Detailed Efficiency
Counter- Counter- Coefficients for
Flow arragement current Flow arragement current Select option EN12900
Number of rows 4 Number of rows 4 Refrigerant R134a
Mumber of tube per row 38 Mumber of tube per row 38 Compressor efficiency Volumetric Efficiency
Excharger Witdh 1.496 Excharger Witdh 1.496 1849.698 223.3645
Longitudinal spacing 20.25 Longitudinal spacing 20.25 6.849545 8.229372
Transversal spacing 29.416 Transversal spacing 29.416 20.82643 0.6203651
Number of circuits 8 Number of circuits 6 -1.491171 0.1541629
Tube material Tube material 0.345755 0.07510766
Tube material Copper Tube material Copper 0.2219609 -0.03946282
Outer diameter 12.7 Outer diameter 10.2 -0.01243298 0.000917877
Thickness 0.813 Thickness 0.813 0.02036773 -0.000211401
Inner suface Smooth Inner suface Smooth 0.01333549 -0.001062657
Fins data Fins data -0.002904226 0.000242629
Fins thickness 0.1 Fins thickness 0.1 Operative parameters
Fin Pitch 5 Fin Pitch 2.1 Subcooling 5
Fin type Plain Fin type Plain superheat 5
Material Aluminium Material Aluminium Refrigerant R134a
Table: Dryer data

253
Finally, in the next figure, the influence of fins pitch over the general performance
parameter of the system (Condensed mass flow rate/Power input) is shown. As
can be observed, for a longer fin separation the system can condense more water
with a smaller compressor power input.
3.85 3.46
Condensed Mass Flow Rate/Power Input [kg/(h∙kW)]
3.80
3.45
3.75
3.70
3.45
Power Input [kW]
3.65
3.60 3.44
3.55
3.44
3.50
3.45
3.43
3.40
3.35 3.43
3 5 7 9 11 13 15
Fin Pitch [mm]
Condensed mass flow rate/Power Input Power Input
254
Evaporator Fins Separation mm 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Evaporator Inlet Temperature °C 30.00 30.00 30.00 30.00 30.00 30.00 30.00 30.00 30.00 30.00 30.00 30.00 30.00
Evaporator Outlet
Temperature °C 24.91 25.23 25.46 25.64 25.78 25.90 26.00 26.08 26.15 26.22 26.27 26.32 26.36
Compressor Power Input kW 3.45 3.45 3.45 3.45 3.45 3.45 3.45 3.44 3.44 3.44 3.43 3.43 3.43
Evaporator S. Pumping Power W 46.30 34.67 27.63 23.01 19.73 17.29 15.30 13.80 12.56 11.49 10.58 9.84 9.17
Evaporator Inlet Relat.
Humidity % 70.00 70.00 70.00 70.00 70.00 70.00 70.00 70.00 70.00 70.00 70.00 70.00 70.00
Evaporator Outlet Relat.
Humidity % 87.09 85.17 83.81 82.80 82.02 81.40 80.90 80.48 80.13 79.83 79.57 79.34 79.15
Evaporator Condensed Mass
Flow Rate kg/h 11.65 12.17 12.50 12.71 12.84 12.93 12.98 13.02 13.04 13.06 13.06 13.06 13.06
Condenser Inlet Temperature °C 24.91 25.23 25.46 25.64 25.78 25.90 26.00 26.08 26.15 26.22 26.27 26.32 26.36
Condenser Outlet
Temperature °C 35.16 35.33 35.43 35.50 35.54 35.57 35.59 35.60 35.60 35.61 35.61 35.61 35.61
Condenser Pumping Power W 27.59 27.58 27.64 27.69 27.72 27.75 27.77 27.79 27.80 27.82 27.83 27.84 27.85
Condenser Inlet Relat.
Humidity % 87.09 85.17 83.81 82.80 82.02 81.40 80.90 80.48 80.13 79.83 79.57 79.34 79.15
Condenser Outlet Relat.
Humidity % 48.38 47.77 47.38 47.13 46.99 46.89 46.83 46.79 46.76 46.75 46.74 46.74 46.75
Condensed mass flow
rate/Power Input kg/h/kW 3.38 3.53 3.62 3.68 3.72 3.75 3.76 3.78 3.79 3.80 3.81 3.79 3.79
Table: Summary of results for varying the fins pitch in a dryer system.
255

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Área Térmica

Instituto Ingeniería Energética

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Revision Date Description

Copyright © 2015, IMST-ART UPVal

UPVal is Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain

MS WINDOWS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 7

2. THEORETICAL BASIS ............................................................................. 8

3. INSTALLATION....................................................................................... 47

4. WORKING SPACE .................................................................................. 49

5. STANDALONE HEAT EXCHANGER ..................................................... 56

5.2.1. Coil .......................................................................................... 65

6. WORKING CYCLE .................................................................................. 69

6.6.1. Condenser outlet for CO2 cycles ........................................... 167

7. RESULTS .............................................................................................. 169

8. REFRIGERANT PROPERTIES ............................................................. 191

9. GRAPHICS ............................................................................................ 192

10. TEMPLATES ......................................................................................... 195

IMST-ART is a software package developed at the Universidad Politécnica de

1.2. User Qualifications

 Must be qualified in basic Microsoft Windows.

 Must be qualified in Heat Transfer fundamentals.

 Must be qualified in Refrigeration equipment analysis and design.

 Must be qualified in basic A/C and Refrigeration Equipment modelling and

The global model of the system is divided in submodels: compressor, heat

2.1. Refrigerant Properties

2.2. Secondary Fluid Properties

The second governing equation of a compressor involves compressor efficiency

The empirical parameters involved in those equations: volumetric efficiency,

2.4. Heat Exchangers

The HE detailed model included in IMST-ART has been developed to be able to

2.5. Basic Iterative Strategy to Solve

Figure 1. Fluid path and surrounding wall cells

2.5.1. Boundary Conditions

2.5.2. Solution Method

Concerning the type of mathematical problem which is to be solved, it consists of

2.5.3. Cell Discretization

Figure 2. Sample of different fluid and wall situations: 1) Two fluids, a)

Figure 3. Wall discretization for parallel countercurrent flow: a) Centred, b)

Figure 4. Wall discretization for crossflow: a) Centred, b) Staggered with

2.5.4. Numerical Scheme

On the other hand, equation (1) is a first order differential equation to be

Two different schemes are employed in IMST-ART. They are schematically

Linear Fluid Temperature Variation (LFTV) is based on temperature average and

Figure 5. Temperature distribution for the different analysed schemes a)

In the following sections, the development of the commented schemes is

Constant Wall Temperature (CWT)

Q ji   U ji Pji (Tw j  Ti )dxi

 2 U js  out  1  exp  s x s    1  exp 2  s x s   

Linear Fluid Temperature Variation (LFTV)

where stands for an averaged value of the quantity .

In our approach for LFTV, we can write

Then, the outgoing temperature of the fluid becomes

 out NTU  w 1  NTU 2

2.5.5. Solution of the system equations

The solution commented above consists of three steps.

T out (it  1)  T in (it  1)

Steps 2 to 3 are repeated until convergence is reached.

2.6. PHE Modelling

2.6.1. Governing equations

* Constant cross section will be considered throughout the study.

2.6.2. Global solution strategy

2.6.3. Discretization of the 2-phase flow