PREDICTION OF REFRIGERANT-BASED NANOFLUIDS FLOW IN ADIABATIC CAPILLARY TUBES

This work presents the results of a numerical analysis on the use of nanoparticle in refrigerant-based fluids and its effects on the performance of capillary tubes. Using R-134a as the refrigerant and CuO as the nanoparticle, some parameters that affect refrigerant mass flow have been simulated in order to evaluate their relevance and effect on the system component. The numerical study indicated that nanofluids have an impact on capillary tube performance that cannot be neglected, and further numerical and experimental research must be developed to better quantify such impact, as well as the impact in the whole refrigeration cycle performance.