What does this research mean for the field?

When accounting for both heat transfer and pressure drop, R-1234yf emerges as the best overall condenser performer among low-GWP refrigerants at medium-to-high saturation temperatures, despite R-1233zd(E) exhibiting the highest heat transfer coefficients. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To experimentally evaluate flow condensation heat transfer coefficients and pressure drop characteristics of low-GWP refrigerants across medium-to-high saturation temperatures.

August 29, 2026Applied Thermal EngineeringOpen Access

Experimental investigation of low GWP refrigerants in-tube flow condensation for medium-temperature heat pump applications

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To experimentally evaluate flow condensation heat transfer coefficients and pressure drop characteristics of low-GWP refrigerants across medium-to-high saturation temperatures.
Tested R-1234ze(E), R-1233zd(E), and R-1234yf inside a 2 mm inner diameter smooth horizontal copper tube.
Conducted flow condensation experiments at saturation temperatures from 40 °C to 55 °C and mass fluxes ranging from 200 to 400 kg m⁻² s⁻¹.
Assessed predictive models (Shah and Friedel) and quantified overall condenser performance using Penalty Factor and Total Temperature Penalization metrics.
R-1233zd(E) achieved the highest condensation heat transfer coefficients due to a high liquid-vapor density ratio, while R-1234yf consistently exhibited the lowest pressure drops.
Accounting for flow resistance reversed performance rankings: R-1234yf provided the best overall condenser performance with a Total Temperature Penalization (TTP) of 1.69 K, compared to 2.11 K for R-1234ze(E) and 4.00 K for R-1233zd(E).
Shah's model provided the most accurate heat transfer coefficient predictions overall but underpredicted R-1233zd(E), while Friedel's correlation was most accurate for pressure drop across the evaluated fluids.

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Implication

Experimental study demonstrates trade-offs between heat transfer and pressure drop in low-GWP refrigerants, indicating R-1234yf offers the lowest overall temperature penalization.

Cite This Study

Eissa et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9298d38e5d7d1fc0c10a44 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2026.132919

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Implication

Experimental study demonstrates trade-offs between heat transfer and pressure drop in low-GWP refrigerants, indicating R-1234yf offers the lowest overall temperature penalization.

Experimental investigation of low GWP refrigerants in-tube flow condensation for medium-temperature heat pump applications

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Experimental investigation of low GWP refrigerants in-tube flow condensation for medium-temperature heat pump applications

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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