Thermohydraulic modelling framework for pressure–property–performance analysis of organic fluids in Direct Vapour Generation


Journal article


Eduardo González-Mora, Ma. Dolores Durán-García
International Journal of Thermofluids, vol. 34, 2026, p. 101629


Cite

Cite

APA   Click to copy
González-Mora, E., & Durán-García, M. D. (2026). Thermohydraulic modelling framework for pressure–property–performance analysis of organic fluids in Direct Vapour Generation. International Journal of Thermofluids, 34, 101629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijft.2026.101629


Chicago/Turabian   Click to copy
González-Mora, Eduardo, and Ma. Dolores Durán-García. “Thermohydraulic Modelling Framework for Pressure–Property–Performance Analysis of Organic Fluids in Direct Vapour Generation.” International Journal of Thermofluids 34 (2026): 101629.


MLA   Click to copy
González-Mora, Eduardo, and Ma. Dolores Durán-García. “Thermohydraulic Modelling Framework for Pressure–Property–Performance Analysis of Organic Fluids in Direct Vapour Generation.” International Journal of Thermofluids, vol. 34, 2026, p. 101629, doi:10.1016/j.ijft.2026.101629.


BibTeX   Click to copy

@article{gonz2026a,
  title = {Thermohydraulic modelling framework for pressure–property–performance analysis of organic fluids in Direct Vapour Generation},
  year = {2026},
  journal = {International Journal of Thermofluids},
  pages = {101629},
  volume = {34},
  doi = {10.1016/j.ijft.2026.101629},
  author = {González-Mora, Eduardo and Durán-García, Ma. Dolores}
}

Abstract

Efficient phase-change heat transfer, governed by fluid thermophysical properties, is essential for advancing renewable energy technologies. In solar thermal systems employing Direct Vapour Generation (DVG), organic working fluids offer distinct advantages, yet their boiling behaviour under varying pressures remains insufficiently characterised. This study extends a validated non-iterative thermohydraulic model, originally developed for steam, to simulate pressure-dependent boiling of six low global warming potential refrigerants–R1233zd(E), R1234ze(Z), R245fa, R123, R113, and MM–in horizontal receiver tubes. The framework quantitatively links thermophysical property variation with operating pressure to DVG performance metrics. Increasing pressure from 0.7Pcrit to 0.9Pcrit shortens boiling length by 49%–58%, reduces pressure drop by 76%–89%, and suppresses temperature glide by 81%–88%. These enhancements arise from a combination of the reduced latent heat of vaporisation (accounting for a substantial portion of the effect) and pressure-induced changes in thermophysical properties such as liquid viscosity and thermal conductivity, which drive an additional 9%–18% improvement in phase-change efficiency. Flow regime predictions indicate annular flow stabilisation at higher pressures, mitigating stratification risks and sustaining a high heat transfer rate. The approach employs pressure-explicit phase-change functions and Taitel–Dukler flow mapping, eliminating iterative calculations and enabling property-driven optimisation of organic fluids for solar thermal power and other renewable phase-change applications.