• Proceedings of the SAREK Conference
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.798-803
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• 2009

In this study, dimensionless correlations of frost properties (i.e. the thickness and surface temperature of frost) on heat exchanger fin with nonuniform temperature distribution are proposed from frosting experiments. We analyzed the local fin temperature distribution, frost thickness and frost surface temperature on a 2D fin; in the airflow direction and the direction perpendicular to airflow. As a result, the frost growth on the fin had a close relation with fin heat conduction. The dimensionless correlations for the average frost properties were expressed as a function of dimensionless temperature, humidity ratio, Reynolds number, and Fourier number. These correlations agreed well with experimental data with the error less than 14%.

• Proceedings of the SAREK Conference
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.252-257
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• 2007

The present study investigated the effect of air velocity on frost formation of slit fin-and-tube heat exchanger under frosting condition. The slit fin-and-tube heat exchanger with outer tube diameter 7.0mm and 1 row was used. Air side pressure drop, photographs of frost distribution, frost accumulation and frost thickness were presented with respect to the frosting time. In the early stage of experiment, the case with air velocity of 1.5m/s showed 403% higher for the air pressure drop than the case with the air velocity of 0.5m/s. As the frost was accumulated, the effect of air velocity on air pressure drop was decreased. In the end stage of test, air pressure drops of two cases were very close and air pressure drop for the air velocity of 0.5m/s was higher than that of 2.0m/s. It was also shown in the photographs of frost distribution, frost accumulation and frost thickness. From frost thickness, fanning friction factor was presented.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.629-635
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• 2009

In this study, fin surface temperature and frost properties, i.e., frost thickness and frost surface temperature on a heat exchanger, were experimentally analyzed with different fin thicknesses, fin sizes and thermal conductivities of fin. As a result, it is found that fin thickness and thermal conductivity of fin should be considered in order to design an efficient heat exchanger fin. Correlations of dimensionless average frost properties were proposed as functions of dimensionless air temperature, dimensionless fin base temperature, dimensionless fin thickness, absolute air humidity, Reynolds number and Fourier number. The correlations predicted well the average frost thickness with a maximum error of 10.5% and frost surface temperature with a maximum difference of $0.89^{\circ}C$, respectively.

• Proceedings of the SAREK Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.256-261
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• 2008

In this study, frost behavior on two dimensional fins of a heat exchanger was experimentally investigated. Temperature distribution on a 2-D fin surface and frost properties were measured in the directions perpendicular to and parallel to airflow. The results indicated that the temperature gradient in the direction perpendicular to airflow was large because of fin heat conduction, while that in the direction parallel to airflow was very small. Frost thickness in the airflow direction decreased from the leading edge towards the trailing edge of the fin due to leading edge effect. The reduction rate of frost thickness in the airflow direction, however, was very small compared with that in the direction perpendicular to the airflow, as affected by the temperature distribution.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.373-379
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• 2009

In this study, frosting experiment was conducted to investigate the characteristics of frost formed on heat exchanger fins of non-uniform temperature distribution. Temperature distribution and frost characteristics of a 2-D fin surface were investigated in the airflow direction and the direction perpendicular to airflow. Temperature gradient was very small in the airflow direction, while it was large in the direction perpendicular to airflow due to fin heat conduction. The variations of the frost thickness gradient and the frost density gradient in the direction perpendicular to airflow were significant. On the other hand, the temperature gradient on frost surface in the direction perpendicular to airflow was significant at the early stage of frosting, while it decreased gradually as time elapsed.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2007.05b
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• pp.2091-2096
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• 2007

This paper presents a mathematical model for predicting the frost behavior formed on heat exchanger fins, considering fin heat conduction under frosting condition. The model is composed of air-side, the frost layer, and fin region, and they are coupled to the frost layer. The frost behavior is more accurately predicted with fin heat conduction considered (Case A) than with a constant fin surface temperature assumed (Case B). The results indicate that the frost thickness and heat transfer rate for Case B are over-predicted in most regions of the fin, as compared to those for Case A. Also, for Case A, the maximum frost thickness varies little with the fin length variations, and the extension of the fin length over 30 mm contributes insignificantly to heat transfer.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.448-456
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• 1999

Variations of thickness and effective thermal conductivity of frost forming on the horizontal] cylinder with respect to time were measured under cross flow. The local heat flux around the cylinder was determined by measuring the radial temperature distribution in the cylinder having small holes drilled axially in which T-type thermocouples were inserted, then by using one dimensional cylindrical heat conduction equation. The thickness and the surface temperature of the frost layer around the cylinder were measured periodically while developing the frost. Each experiment was peformed by varying the Reynolds number, the temperature, and the humidity condition. Specially the dew point temperature of the most cases was below the freezing point. Experimental data showed that the frost layers on the front and the rear surface were thicker than those on the top and the bottom one which was near the separation point. The thickness and effective thermal conductivity of the frost layer were affected by inlet air velocity, temperature, and humidity. Moreover, the effective thermal conductivity and the effective thermal resistance increase with respect to time.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.14 no.4 s.44
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• pp.213-218
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• 2005

In order to understand the heat and mass transfer characteristics of humid airflow in frosting conditions, a flat plate of aluminum with cooling modules located in the central part of the plate was used. A microscope system (resolution of 0.05 mm) was used for the measurement of local thickness of frost at seven points along the plate in the flow direction. For the total mass of frost at each test operation, an electronic balance (resolution of 1 mg) was used. The local frost thickness distributions far various test conditions were presented along with the frost mass data measured at the given operating times. The effect of humidity and velocity of humid air on frosting were analyzed.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2008.11b
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• pp.2334-2339
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• 2008

This paper proposes an improved mathematical model for predicting the frosting behavior on a two-dimensional fin considering the heat conduction of heat exchanger fins under frosting conditions. The model consists of laminar flow equation in airflow, diffusion equation of water vapor for frost layer, and heat conduction equation in fin, and these are coupled together. In this model, the change in three-dimensional airside airflow caused by frost growth is accounted for. The fin surface temperature increased toward the fin tip due to the fin heat conduction. On the contrary, the temperature gradient in the airflow direction(x-dir.) is small throughout the entire fin. The frost thickness in the direction perpendicular to airflow, i.e. z-dir., decreases exponentially toward the fin tip due to non-uniform temperature distribution. The rate of decrease of heat transfer in the airflow direction is high compared to that in the z-direction due to more decrease in the sensible and latent heat rate in x-direction.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.545-553
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• 2006

Generally, the temperature drop under $0^{\circ}C$ on vaporizer surface creates frozen dews. This problem seems to increase as the time progress and humidity rises. In addition, the frozen dews create frost deposition. Consequently, heat transfer on vaporizer decreases because frost deposition causes adiabatic condition. Therefore, it is very important to solve this problem. This paper aims to study of the optimum design of used vaporizer at local LNG station. In this paper, experimental results were compared with numerical results. Geometries of numerical and experimental vaporizers were identical. Studied parameters of vaporizer are angle between two fins $(\Phi)$ and fin thickness $(TH_F)$. Numerical analysis results were presented through the correlations between the ice layer thickness $(TH_{ICE})$ on the vaporizer surface to the temperature distribution of inside vaporizer $(T_{IN})$, fin thickness $(TH_F)$, and angle between two fins $(\Phi)$. Numerical result shows good agreement with experimental outcome. Finally, the correlations for optimum design of vaporizer are proposed on this paper.