Fan supplied heat exchanger fin performance under frosting conditions

In this paper, a validated numerical model for frost growth on heat exchange fins is modified to simulate a fan-supplied finned heat exchanger under refrigeration frosting conditions. It is found that frost growth on refrigeration heat exchangers causes a dramatic drop in the fin heat rate, airflow rate, and fin efficiency while the pressure drop increases. A sensitivity study shows the effects of changing several design parameters including the type of fan.