Experimental enhancement the evaporator performance using pulsated refrigerant flow

Abstract

Abstract This study investigates the experimental application of pulsating flow to significantly improve heat transfer rates within an air conditioning system’s evaporator. The core aim is to boost the evaporator’s performance and, consequently, the overall coefficient of performance (COP) of the air conditioning unit. Refrigerant pulsations are generated within the evaporator coil using an electrical pulse control circuit, with tested frequencies of 6, 9, and 12 Hz under variable ambient temperatures of 24 °C, 26 °C, and 28 °C. Experiments conducted on a split air conditioner revealed only a negligible increase in compressor power consumption. Notably, the pulsating technique dramatically reduced the operating time needed to reach a desired temperature, with the most significant impact observed at a frequency of 9 Hz. This modification is characterized by its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, making it easily adaptable to various cooling and air conditioning systems. The results demonstrate a 13.33% increase in the evaporator’s heat transfer rate, a 13.63% improvement in the system’s COP, a 23.3% reduction in operating time, and consistent power consumption. These findings collectively highlight the effectiveness and practicality of integrating pulsating flow for enhancing the evaporator performance of an air conditioning system.