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An experimental investigation on frosting characteristics and performance of microchannel evaporators with varied aspect ratios

Author

Listed:
  • Zheng, Haikun
  • Zhang, Dan
  • Sheng, Wei
  • Hao, Xiaoru
  • Chen, Xiaozhuan
  • Dang, Chaobin
  • Song, Mengjie

Abstract

Microchannel evaporators are susceptible to frosting, which can significantly impair heat transfer performance. To provide a basis for microchannel evaporators' effective design and broad application, frosting experiments were conducted in this study. Leveraging infrared thermal imaging and digital image processing technology, the impact of different aspect ratios on refrigerant distribution was quantitatively measured, and the microchannel evaporators' frosting behavior and performance under frosting conditions were analyzed. The results showed that a higher aspect ratio for Evaporator C led to reduced uniformity in the refrigerant distribution, resulting in an increased frost height, a larger frosting coverage area, and greater frost accumulation. Consequently, as frost accumulated, Evaporator C exhibited the most discernible reductions in the heat transfer rate, evaporation pressure, and refrigerant pressure loss, which were 61.07 %, 31.7 %, and 52.83 %, respectively. Therefore, microchannel evaporators with small aspect ratios are recommended where practical field installation conditions permit. And the results are anticipated to provide useful guidance for selecting microchannel evaporators with the optimal aspect ratio, tailored to operate efficiently under frosting conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Zheng, Haikun & Zhang, Dan & Sheng, Wei & Hao, Xiaoru & Chen, Xiaozhuan & Dang, Chaobin & Song, Mengjie, 2024. "An experimental investigation on frosting characteristics and performance of microchannel evaporators with varied aspect ratios," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:309:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224029372
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.133162
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ling, Weihao & Wu, Jingtao & Li, Xuan & Ma, Jianjun & Ding, Yu & Li, Bingcheng & Zeng, Min, 2023. "Numerical prediction of frosting growth characteristics of microchannel louvered fin heat exchanger," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    2. 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).
    3. Xu, Yingjie & Zhao, Ruiying & Wu, Kai & Jin, Huaqiang & Song, Mengjie & Shen, Xi, 2024. "Experimental investigation and validation on an air-source heat pump frosting state recognition method based on fan current fluctuation signal and machine learning," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 291(C).
    4. Ma, Jiacheng & Kim, Donghun & Braun, James E. & Horton, W. Travis, 2023. "Development and validation of a dynamic modeling framework for air-source heat pumps under cycling of frosting and reverse-cycle defrosting," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
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