Heat Transfer Engineering, Vol.26, No.4, 3-18, 2005
Two-phase flow distribution to tubes of parallel flow air-cooled heat exchangers
This paper addresses two-phase flow distribution phenomena in multiple header-tube junctions used in heat exchangers. Because of phase separation, it is very difficult to obtain uniform two-phase flow distribution to the branch tubes. The flow distribution is strongly influenced by the header orientation (horizontal or vertical) and the number of branch tubes. Other factors that influence the flow distribution are the flow direction in the header (upflow or downflow), the header shape and tube end projection into the header, and the location and orientation of the inlet and exit connections. The source of maldistribution is the flow in the dividing headers. Work performed by the authors and others (including patents) are discussed. The possibilities for eliminating two-phase flow maldistribution are identified and discussed. This investigation shows that solutions, which provide uniform flow distribution, are very design-specific. Change of the geometry or operating parameters will require modification of the design.