Theoretical Studies on the Application of Pulsating Heat Pipe in Vapour Compression Refrigeration System

This paper proposes a simplified theoretical model of Pulsating Heat Pipe (PHP) employed in a vapour compression refrigeration system. The model developed is mainly based on well known physical equations and partially based on empirical correlation. The present theoretical investigation of PHP is focused to explore its suitability as a heat exchanger in the condenser of vapour compression refrigeration system. A parametric analysis is carried out to design the vapour compression refrigeration system with PHP as the condenser. The performance of the system is evaluated for different PHP diameters, working fluids, evaporator and condenser temperatures and evaporator and condenser lengths. The effect of super heating and sub cooling the refrigerant are also studied. The results showed an increase in performance of the system at higher evaporator and lower condenser temperatures. The best results are obtained with R-12 as the working fluid. Also there is an increase in the COP of the system due to decrease in pressure drop in the condenser.