Condensation heat transfer of R1234ze(E) and its A1 mixtures in small diameter channels

R1234ze(E) has emerged in the recent years as low Global Warming Potential substitute for R134a in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. As a drawback, R1234ze(E) is classified as a mildly flammable fluid (A2L class) and, in the search for non-flammable alternatives to R134a, hydrofluorocarbon/hydrofluoroolefin binary mixtures can be considered. In the present work, condensation tests are performed with R1234ze(E) and non-flammable binary mixtures R450A (R1234ze(E)/R134a at 58.0/42.0% by mass) and R515B (R1234ze(E)/R227ea at 91.1/8.9% by mass) inside two channels with inner diameter equal to 3.38 mm and 0.96 mm. R515B is an azeotropic mixture whereas R450A is a near-azeotropic blend (temperature glide 0.6 K at 40 °C). Heat transfer coefficients are measured at 40 °C saturation temperature and mass flux from 40 kg m−2 s−1 to 600 kg m−2 s−1. Flow pattern visualizations are recorded by a high-speed camera in the 3.38 mm inner diameter tube. Two-phase pressure gradients are measured in the 0.96 mm test section at mass flux equal to 200 and 400 kg m−2 s−1. The prediction accuracy of condensation heat transfer and two-phase pressure drop models is assessed against the experimental results. A comparative study between the tested fluids and R134a, accounting for both the heat transfer coefficients and the two-phase pressure drops, is performed.