Modeling the behavior of frost growth on finned tube heat exchanger

Abstract EN

A quasi-steady finite-volume model was developed for modeling a plain-finround- tube heat exchanger under frosted conditions.

In this study, the heat and mass transfer characteristics of heat exchangers during frost formation process are analyzed numerically.

Unsteady heat and mass transfer coefficients of the air side, heat transfer coefficient of the refrigerant side, frost layer thickness, the surface efficiency of the heat exchanger and the mass flow rate of the frost accumulated on the heat exchanger surface are calculated.

The total conductivity (UA) and pressure drop of the heat exchanger are reported for different air inlet and refrigerant temperature.

Results have shown that frost layer growth is faster with lower inlet air temperature.

Using the developed mathematical model, the algorithm and the computer code, which have been experimentally validated, it is possible to predict a decrease of exchanged heat flux in the heat exchanger under frost growth conditions.

The model could be further extended to simulate direct expansion evaporators with varying operating conditions and variable heat exchanger geometry.