Effects of Fin Pitch and Array on the Frost Layer Growth on the Extended Surface of a Heat Exchanger

This paper presents the effects of the fin array and pitch on the frost layer growth of a heat exchanger. The numerical results are compared with experimental data of a cold plate to validate the present model, and agree well with experimental data within a maximum error of 8%. The frost behaviors of the staggered fin array are somewhat different from those of in-line array. The frost layer formed on the first fin of the in-line array grows rapidly, compared to second fin, whereas the difference of the frost layer growth between the fins of the staggered array is small. For fin pitch below 10 m, the frost layer growth of second fin in the staggered array is affected by that of first fin. The thickness of the frost layer and heat transfer of single fin are reduced with decreasing fin pitch regardless of fin array. However, the thermal performance of a heat exchanger is enhanced due to the increase of heat transfer surface area.

열교환기 표면에서의 서리층 성장에 대한 휜 피치와 배열의 영향