A Semi-Theoretical Model for Predicting Refrigerant/Lubricant Mixture Pool Boiling Heat Transfer

Published

May 1, 2003

Author(s)

Mark A. Kedzierski

Abstract

This paper outlines the development of a semi-theoretical model for prediction the pool boiling heat transfer of R123/lubricant mixtures on a roughened, horizontal flat pool-boiling surface. The predictive model is based on the mechanisms involved in the formation of the lubricant excess layer that exists in the heat transfer surface. The lubricant accumulates on the surface in excess of the bulk concentration via distillation from the bulk refrigerant/lubricant mixture. As a result, excess lubricant resides in a thin layer on the surface and influences the boiling performance, giving either an enhancement or degradation in heat transfer. A dimensionless excess layer parameter and a thermal boundary layer constant were fitted to data in an attempt to generalize the model to other refrigerant/lubricant mixtures. The model requires both transport and thermodynamic refrigerant properties and the lubricant composition, viscosity and critical solution temperature with the refrigerant as input. The model predicts the boiling heat transfer coefficient of three different mixtures of R123 and lubricant to within 10%. Further work is required to extend or validate the model to other refrigerants and lubricants.

Citation

International Journal of Refrigeration - Revue Internationale Du Froid

Volume

26

Issue

No. 3

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

boiling, enhanced heat transfer, non-adiabatic lubricant excess surface d, pool boiling, R123, refrigerant/lubricant mixtures, smooth surface

Citation

Kedzierski, M. (2003), A Semi-Theoretical Model for Predicting Refrigerant/Lubricant Mixture Pool Boiling Heat Transfer, International Journal of Refrigeration - Revue Internationale Du Froid, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=860859 (Accessed April 28, 2026)

Additional citation formats