Construction and Performance Characteristics of the PFE™ Evaporator

A review of evaporator constructions, currently used in vehicular air-conditioning applications, is presented. An examination of the drawn cup (or laminated plate) and serpentine constructions is made followed by the introduction of a new construction, the PFE™ evaporator. This is followed by a comparison of relevant geometrical parameters and various thermal/hydraulic performance characteristics. Laboratory tests indicate that the PFE evaporator provides higher cooling capacity (heat transfer rate) per installed volume, lower air-side pressure drop and comparable water (condensed) shedding characteristics with a smaller installed depth than currently produced drawn cup and serpentine evaporators.