Frost distribution characteristics of laminar airflow on cold surface of mini-channels

This study was performed for simulating frosting characteristics that occurred on the surface of plate fins of the outside heat exchanger. Test section with local cooling modules at the central part was made as the rectangular cross sectional passage to imitate the outside heat exchanger. Local frost thickness distributions for test conditions having three experimental parameters (plate wall temperature, air humidity and velocity) were presented. Leading edge effect of the plate was clearly confirmed from the measured frost thickness distributions. The central part of the plate had the highest frost thickness because cooling devices were installed at the center of the plate. Due to different heat and mass transfer characteristics of upstream flow and downstream flow, the frost thickness of upstream area was much higher than that of downstream. The effects of plate surface temperature, humidity and velocity of inlet flow on frost thickness, and sensible and latent heat fluxes were analyzed.