Smaller-Diameter Copper Tube Use Grows in China and Rest of World
Improved Simulation Software Opens Door to New Applications for Copper Tubes
Beijing, China (9 April 2018) — According to the International Copper Association (ICA), smaller diameter copper tube usage continues to grow in China and worldwide. OEMs seeking to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and phase out high-GWP refrigerants are adopting MicroGroove technology in increasing numbers all around the world.
Brilliant Consulting reports that smaller-diameter copper tubes are capturing ever larger proportions of the global market for residential air conditioning. It estimates that 27 percent of residential ACs made in China are now made with copper tubes with diameters of 5-mm or smaller.
“The use of smaller-diameter copper tubes began in China and is spreading to the rest of the world,” acknowledged Nigel Cotton, MicroGroove Team Leader. “Vital research conducted in China helped to increase the efficiency of air conditioners and reduce materials usage. It turns out that the smaller diameter tubes also help reduce refrigerant volume and so they are well suited for use with flammable low-GWP refrigerants in light commercial applications. They are also well-suited for use in larger condenser coils and heat pumps.”
ICA continues to support research projects leading to technical papers and presentations at major conferences. Papers have been delivered on many topics, such optimizing tube circuitry and fin design; software programs for developing commercial heat exchangers; reducing refrigerant volume for use with new synthetic refrigerants as well as natural refrigerants; and the use of smaller diameter tubes in heat pump applications.
Technical papers on tube correlations and coil simulations will be presented at the International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference at Purdue University in July 2018. The ICA China office in Shanghai has developed a simulation software package called HXSim to assist in the design of coils made from smaller diameter copper tubes for a wide range of applications.
ICA China founded the Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Heat Exchanger Technology Alliance (HETA) and will exhibit at China Refrigeration in Beijing, April 9-11, alongside the Coil Consortium.
Visit Booth W1G19 to learn more about this game-changing technology.
About ICA
The International Copper Association, Ltd. (ICA) is the leading organization for promoting the use of copper worldwide. ICA’s mission is to promote the use of copper by communicating the unique attributes that make this sustainable element an essential contributor to the formation of life, to advances in science and technology, and to a higher standard of living worldwide. Visit www.microgroove.net for more information about ICA.