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Title: Heat transfer under frosting conditions to plain and thick-finned tubes

Journal Article · · Experimental Heat Transfer; (USA)
;  [1]
  1. Energy Technology Unit, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Heriot-Watt Univ., Edinburgh (GB)

An understanding of the development of frost in air-refrigerant evaporators and its influence on heat transfer is important to the optimum design of such equipment. This study constitutes an experimental and theoretical analysis of the mass and heat flow as the frost layer builds up on a tube in crossflow. A closed-cycle air flow system with controlled conditions is used to examine photographically the frost growth on a tube while recording the thermal parameters. A detailed thermal analysis is developed to give an overall prediction of heat transfer variation with time. The analysis is extended to cover thick-finned tubes under conditions in which the air flow rate is a function ofunction of the frost buildup.

OSTI ID:
5783538
Journal Information:
Experimental Heat Transfer; (USA), Vol. 4:1; ISSN 0891-6152
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English