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Experimental investigation of frost and defrost performance of microchannel heat exchangers for heat pump systems

Author

Listed:
  • Xu, Bo
  • Han, Qing
  • Chen, Jiangping
  • Li, Feng
  • Wang, Nianjie
  • Li, Dong
  • Pan, Xiaoyong

Abstract

The cycle frosting and defrosting performance of two types of microchannel heat exchangers were investigated. All the processes were observed using a CCD camera to better understand the cycle frost mechanism. Ice blockage formed in the fin root gaps of the horizontal-tube sample because of water retention. Cycle operation increased the blockage severity until the fin space was completely blocked. The amount of water retained and its impact on frosting time, pressure drop, and capacity were investigated. With increasing water retention, frosting time decreased, air pressure-drop and capacity could not return to the initial value after each defrosting time. Approximately 800g of water was retained on the heat exchanger after four operating cycles, causing the ice blockage that shortened the effective operating time by 40min compared with that of the vertical-tube sample at the end of the test. At the beginning of the fifth frost cycle, air pressure-drop had reached thrice the initial pressure drop, even when no frost was on the surface. The capacity decreased by 27% compared with the initial value. However, the vertical-tube sample exhibited no obvious water retention on the surface; as such, pressure drop and capacity experienced a similar degradation process during each cycle. The distribution of ice crystals on the fin surface was also studied, and the frosting process was divided into three periods: initial, developing, and fully grown. With increasingly serious water retention, frost only formed at the fin front-end surface, and could only reach the initial period because the ice blockage rapidly increased the pressure drop, thereby causing the defrosting process.

Suggested Citation

  • Xu, Bo & Han, Qing & Chen, Jiangping & Li, Feng & Wang, Nianjie & Li, Dong & Pan, Xiaoyong, 2013. "Experimental investigation of frost and defrost performance of microchannel heat exchangers for heat pump systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 180-188.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:103:y:2013:i:c:p:180-188
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.09.026
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wu, Jianghong & Ouyang, Guang & Hou, Puxiu & Xiao, Haobin, 2011. "Experimental investigation of frost formation on a parallel flow evaporator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(5), pages 1549-1556, May.
    2. Shao, Liang-Liang & Yang, Liang & Zhang, Chun-Lu, 2010. "Comparison of heat pump performance using fin-and-tube and microchannel heat exchangers under frost conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(4), pages 1187-1197, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jianying Gong & Jianqiang Hou & Jinjuan Sun & Guojun Li & Tieyu Gao, 2018. "A Numerical Investigation of Frost Growth on Cold Surfaces Based on the Lattice Boltzmann Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-13, August.
    2. Dixit, Tisha & Ghosh, Indranil, 2015. "Review of micro- and mini-channel heat sinks and heat exchangers for single phase fluids," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 1298-1311.
    3. Chen, Siliang & Chen, Kang & Zhu, Xu & Jin, Xinqiao & Du, Zhimin, 2022. "Deep learning-based image recognition method for on-demand defrosting control to save energy in commercial energy systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    4. Ahn, Jae Hwan & Kim, Hoon & Jeon, Yongseok & Kwon, Ki Hyun, 2022. "Performance characteristics of mobile cooling system utilizing ice thermal energy storage with direct contact discharging for a refrigerated truck," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 308(C).
    5. Ramadan, M. & Khaled, M. & El Hage, H. & Harambat, F. & Peerhossaini, H., 2016. "Effect of air temperature non-uniformity on water–air heat exchanger thermal performance – Toward innovative control approach for energy consumption reduction," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 481-493.
    6. Xiong, Tong & Chen, Qi & Xu, Shijie & Liu, Guoqiang & Gao, Qiang & Yan, Gang, 2024. "A new defrosting model for microchannel heat exchanger heat pump system considering the effects of drainage and water retention," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).
    7. Kim, Min-Hwan & Lee, Kwan-Soo, 2015. "Determination method of defrosting start-time based on temperature measurements," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 263-269.
    8. Xu, Wei & Liu, Changping & Li, Angui & Li, Ji & Qiao, Biao, 2020. "Feasibility and performance study on hybrid air source heat pump system for ultra-low energy building in severe cold region of China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 2124-2133.
    9. Ziqi Zhang & Wanyong Li & Junye Shi & Jiangping Chen, 2016. "A Study on Electric Vehicle Heat Pump Systems in Cold Climates," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-11, October.
    10. Li, Zhaoyang & Wang, Wei & Sun, Yuying & Wang, Shiquan & Deng, Shiming & Lin, Yao, 2021. "Applying image recognition to frost built-up detection in air source heat pumps," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    11. Huang, Wenzhu & Ji, Jie & Xu, Ning & Li, Guiqiang, 2016. "Frosting characteristics and heating performance of a direct-expansion solar-assisted heat pump for space heating under frosting conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 656-666.

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