Consider a condenser unit (shell and tube heat exchanger) of an HVAC facility where saturated refrigerant R134a

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Consider a condenser unit (shell and tube heat exchanger) of an HVAC facility where saturated refrigerant R134a at a saturation pressure of 1318.6 kPa and at a rate of 2.5 kg/s flows through thin-walled copper tubes. The refrigerant enters the condenser as saturated vapor and it is desired to have a saturated liquid refrigerant at the exit. The cooling of refrigerant is carried out by cold water that enters the heat exchanger at 10°C and exits at 40°C. Assuming initial overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat exchanger to be 3500 W/m2 · K, determine the surface area of the heat exchanger and the mass flow rate of cooling water for complete condensation of the refrigerant. In practice, over a long period of time, fouling occurs inside the heat exchanger that reduces its overall heat transfer coefficient and causes the mass flow rate of cooling water to increase. Increase in the mass flow rate of cooling water will require additional pumping power making the heat exchange process uneconomical. To prevent the condenser unit from under performance, assume that fouling has occurred inside the heat exchanger and has reduced its overall heat transfer coefficient by 20%. For the same inlet temperature and flow rate of refrigerant, determine the new flow rate of cooling water to ensure complete condensation of the refrigerant at the heat exchanger exit.

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