Abstract
Microchannel heat exchangers (MHXs), develop thin boundary layers owing to interruptive surfaces that break up and reform the boundary layers. However, once frosting occurs, the operation of the MHX is seriously affected. In order to clarify the growth and distribution of frost layer at the surface of the MHX, a three-dimensional frosting growth model of microchannel louvered fins is established and verified using the OpenFOAM software platform and self-programming method. The influences of boundary conditions, such as moist air inlet velocity, humidity ratio, and cold-wall surface temperature on the thickness of the local frost layer, pressure drop, and outlet temperature of the microchannel louvered fins are explored. For the fin in the middle of rear half, the lower cold-wall temperature (−12 °C compared with −8 °C) reduces the frost-clogging-channel time from 240 s to 160 s, while the higher humidity ratio (4 g kg−1 compared with 3.4 g kg−1) decreases the clogging time from 280 s to 200 s. Moreover, the high moist air inlet velocity (2.5 m s−1 compared with 1 m s−1) increases the pressure drop at 480 s from 276 Pa to 1011 Pa. This study provides guidance for predicting the local frosting of MHXs under moist conditions.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.