Experimental investigation of performance of microchannel condenser with effect of air velocity for personal cooling system for firefighters

Abstract

Personal cooling systems (PCS) have been developed because they have reduced heat stress and heat-related injuries. PCS performance has depended on environmental factors, namely ambient temperature, air velocity, intensity level, and humidity. Among these factors, air velocity has had the potential to cause improper air distribution over the tube bundles of air-cooled condensers, exhaust air recirculation, and poor fan performance. Hence, our goal has been to experimentally investigate the performance of PCS using two microchannel condensers (MCC-1 and MCC-2) under the effect of air velocity (1.5–8.5 m/s). PCS performance has been determined by cooling capacity, COP, and reversible efficiency. These metrics have increased as air velocity and heat input have increased. At the air velocity of 8.5 m/s (maximum), the cooling capacity, COP, and reversible efficiency of MCC-1 have been 0.2%, 2.4%, and 12.62% more than MCC-2 for 100 W. Similarly, at the same air velocity (8.5 m/s), the cooling capacity, COP, and reversible efficiency of MCC-1 have been 3.2%, 0.2%, and 13.1% more than MCC-2 for 500 W. Results have shown that the change in cooling capacity and COP of MCC-1 and MCC-2 has remained just under 3.2%. Hence, it has been concluded that MCC-1 and MCC-2 have performed similarly at all air velocities. However, based on condenser size and weight, MCC-2 has been preferred for the development of a PCS.