Summary

This work presents a numerical model to predict adiabatic and non-adiabatic capillary tube performance. Lateral and concentric capillary tube-suction line heat exchangers are considered. The mass flow rate of HFC 134-a, for a given tube length, and also the related pressure, temperature and vapor quality profiles along the flow, are computed by the model. Emphasis is given to the conservation laws, the constitutive relations and the iteration and chocked flow determination techniques. The model results are compared with a large set of experimental data for adiabatic capillary tubes, from NRVA/UFSC. For the non-adiabatic condition, the model performance is compared with experimental data and also with the results of other models, avaiable in the literature. A sensitivity analysis of the model is also presented and discussed.

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