Numerical Simulation of Frosting on Wavy Fin-and-tube Heat Exchanger Surfaces. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ma, Q; Wu, X M; Chu, F; Zhu, B
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 891(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Physics -- Congresses; 530.5
• DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/891/1/012052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-6588

Abstract

Abstract: Frost on fin surfaces of the heat exchanger increases thermal resistance and blocks air flow passage, which reduces the system energy efficiency. In this paper, a frosting model based on Euler multi-phase flow proposed before is used to simulate the frost layer growth process on wavy fin-and-tube heat exchanger surfaces. The model predicts the frost layer and temperature distributions on the heat exchanger surfaces. The air flow pressure drops before and after frosting have been obtained. The results show that the frost layer is unevenly distributed and no frost appears on the fin surfaces in the tube wake region. Frost on the wavy fin-and-tube heat exchanger surfaces restricts the airflow and the pressure drop increases about 140% after 45 min frosting. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental results.