Measurement of frost characteristics on heat exchanger fins. Part 1: Test facility and instrumentation
A special test facility was developed to characterize frost growing on heat exchanger fins where the cold surfaces and the air supply conditions were similar to those experienced in freezers, i.e., cold surface temperatures ranging from {minus}35 C to {minus}40 C, air supply temperatures from {minus}10 C to {minus}20 C, and 80% to 100% relative humidity (RH). This test facility included a test section with removable fins to measure the frost height and mass concentration. Frost height on heat exchanger fins was measured using a new automated laser scanning system to measure the height of frost and its distribution on selected fins. The increase in air pressure loss resulting from frost growth on the fins was measured directly in the test loop. The frost mass accumulation distribution was measured for each test using special pre-etched fins that could be easily subdivided and weighed. The total heat rate was measured using a heat flux meter. These frost-measuring instruments were calibrated and the uncertainty of each is stated.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (CA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- American Society of Heating, Refrig. and Air Conditioning Engineers; Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
- OSTI ID:
- 20085625
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: ASHRAE Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA (US), 06/18/1999--06/23/1999; Other Information: PBD: 1999; Related Information: In: ASHRAE Transactions: Technical and symposium papers presented at the 1999 annual meeting in Seattle, Washington of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.; Volume 105, Part 2, by Geshwiler, M.; Harrell, D.; Roberson, T. [eds.], 1360 pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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