Cited by 54Heat Transfer and OptimizationRefrigeration and Air Conditioning TechnologiesIcing and De-icing Technologies

Performance of finned-tube heat exchangers under frosting conditions: I. Simulation model

Kondepudi, Sekhar N, O'Neal, Dennis L·1993·International Journal of Refrigeration

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This paper presents an analytical, quasi-steady-state model that couples frost growth with finned-tube heat exchanger performance under frosting conditions. It predicts frost accumulation, energy transfer coefficient, and airside pressure drop trends for varying humidity, fin density, and face velocity.

Key findings

  • After 1 h of operation, the model predicts frost height at 85% RH is twice that at 70% RH; higher fin density and higher face velocity also increase frost accumulation.
  • The frost layer is nearly constant along coil depth after 10 min, but there is a 15% drop in frost height along the coil depth after 60 min.
  • The energy transfer coefficient, \(E_o\), decreases monotonically with frost accumulation, but the drop is not appreciable (within 5%) over up to 60 min; higher humidity gives a slightly faster drop, while higher fin density and face velocity increase \(E_o\).
  • Airside pressure drop rises with higher humidity, fin density, and face velocity; the rise is gradual at first and becomes steeper as more frost accumulates.

Methods

  • An analytical quasi-steady-state model was developed, divided into frost-layer and heat-exchanger-performance sections solved simultaneously; the coil is divided into elemental sections, with exit properties from each section becoming entrance properties for the next, allowing forward marching in time.
  • The model uses equations for frost deposition, vapour diffusion through the porous frost layer with tortuosity, frost surface energy balance, frost density/height updates, frost thermal conductivity, fin efficiency, overall energy transfer coefficient, airside heat transfer correlation adapted from Gray and Webb, logarithmic mean enthalpy difference, and airside pressure drop.
  • Model applications used a coil with aluminium flat fins 0.12 mm thick, fin density 591 fins per metre, and copper tubes 9.525 mm OD and 9.195 mm ID; ambient conditions were face velocity 0.762 m s⁻¹, 85% RH, air temperature 0°C, and refrigerant temperature −5°C unless otherwise stated.

Limitations

  • The paper states assumptions including: all local heat transfer surface temperatures are below frost point; homogeneous frost distribution over the entire coil; quasi-steady-state behaviour; frost layer characterized by average properties; frost thermal conductivity varies with density; and radiation exchange between moist air and frost is negligible.
  • The paper states that comparisons with experimental data are presented in the following companion paper; here, comparisons with previous studies show the model successfully predicts trends in a qualitative way.
  • The trends presented are for the first elemental section of the heat exchanger, with other sections expected to exhibit similar trends.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/0140-7007(93)90045-a

Cites

7 of 7 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 14 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingreasoning
    § Airside pressure drop · p. 5

    For higher fin densities and face velocities, the initial value of pressure drop is higher.

    “For higher fin densities and face velocities, the initial value of pressure drop is already higher to start with due to lower free flow areas and higher mass flow rates.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: As frost forms on the fins and tubes, it blocks off the free flow area, thereby increasing the airside pressure drop across the coil.
  • Findingreasoning
    § Energy transfer coefficient · p. 4

    The energy transfer coefficient Eo begins to decrease monotonically with time as frost accumulates.

    “As expected, owing to the insulating effect of the frost, the energy transfer coefficient, Eo, begins to decrease monotonically with time as frost accumulates (Figure 5), but the drop is not appreciable (within 5%).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The thermal conductivity of frost varies with its density.
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The frost layer is characterized by average properties.
  • Findingreasoning
    § Energy transfer coefficient · p. 4

    A higher humidity exhibits a slightly faster drop in Eo.

    “A higher humidity exhibits a slightly faster drop in Eo, ostensibly due to a greater frost insulation effect, since a higher humidity leads to more frost.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The thermal conductivity of frost varies with its density.
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The frost layer is characterized by average properties.
  • Findingnone given
    § Frost growth · p. 4

    There is a 15% drop in frost height along the coil depth after 60 min.

    “There is a 15% drop in frost height along the coil depth after 60 min.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: All local heat transfer surface temperatures are below frost point.
    • The authors state this as an assumption: There is a homogeneous distribution of frost on the entire heat exchanger coil.
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The problem is quasi-steady-state in nature.
  • Findingreasoning
    § Frost growth · p. 4

    A higher face velocity leads to greater frost accumulation.

    “A higher face velocity translates into a larger mass of moisture flowing across the coils and hence greater frost accumulation, as seen in Figure 3.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: All local heat transfer surface temperatures are below frost point.
    • The authors state this as an assumption: There is a homogeneous distribution of frost on the entire heat exchanger coil.
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The problem is quasi-steady-state in nature.
    • The authors state this as an assumption: Part of the water vapour goes to increase the frost density and the rest to increase frost height.
  • May combine two claims. 7
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 5
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given
    § Frost growth · p. 4

    The lowest possible initial frost height and density that lead to a numerically stable and convergent solution are 0.005 mm and 48 kg m−3, respectively.

    “The lowest possible initial frost height and density that lead to a numerically stable and convergent solution are found to be 0.005 mm and 48 kg m−3, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The problem is quasi-steady-state in nature.
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given
    § Airside pressure drop · p. 5

    The rise in pressure drop is gradual at first, but as more frost accumulates, the slope becomes steeper.

    “The rise in pressure drop is gradual at first, but as more and more frost accumulates, the slope becomes steeper.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: As frost forms on the fins and tubes, it blocks off the free flow area, thereby increasing the airside pressure drop across the coil.
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Frost growth · p. 4

    Ten minutes into the frosting process, the frost layer is almost constant along the coil depth, with a slight indication of decreasing frost height.

    “Ten minutes into the frosting process, while there is a slight indication of decreasing frost height along the coil depth, the frost layer is almost constant.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: All local heat transfer surface temperatures are below frost point.
    • The authors state this as an assumption: There is a homogeneous distribution of frost on the entire heat exchanger coil.
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The problem is quasi-steady-state in nature.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Study design and conductnone given
    § Model development · p. 3

    Dividing the heat exchanger coil into a number of elemental sections achieves a convergent and numerically stable solution.

    “In order to achieve a convergent and numerically stable solution, the heat exchanger coil is divided into a number of elemental sections.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation
    § Model development · p. 2

    O'Neal used an expression for the mass of water vapour diffusing through the porous frost layer.

    “O'Neal has used the following expression for the mass of water vapour diffusing through the porous frost layer:”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [7] O'Neal, 1983, The effects of frost formation on the performance of a parallel plate heat exchanger

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Energy transfer coefficient · p. 4

    The increase in Eo with higher face velocity is due to higher Reynolds number, higher airside heat-transfer coefficient, and increased latent energy transfer.

    “Similarly, a higher face velocity not only leads to a higher Reynolds number, and hence a higher airside heat-transfer coefficient, but also leads to an increase in latent energy transfer, thereby increasing Eo.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Frost growth · p. 4

    The greater frost accumulation with higher face velocity is because a larger mass of moisture flows across the coils.

    “A higher face velocity translates into a larger mass of moisture flowing across the coils and hence greater frost accumulation, as seen in Figure 3.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § Airside pressure drop · p. 5

    Similar trends have been reported by many previous investigators.

    “Similar trends have also been reported by many previous investigators'.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1] Kondepudi, 1987, The effects of frost growth on extended surface heat exchanger performance — A review, ASHRAE Trans

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § Model development · p. 3

    If frost is allowed to grow unabated, it will finally block off the entire heat exchanger.

    “If the frost is allowed to grow unabated, it will finally block off the entire heat exchanger.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: As frost forms on the fins and tubes, it blocks off the free flow area, thereby increasing the airside pressure drop across the coil.
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Energy transfer coefficient · p. 4

    The higher rate of energy transfer with higher fin density is due to larger surface area, more frost accumulation, and higher latent energy transfer.

    “A coil with a higher fin density has a higher rate of energy transfer due to larger surface area, more frost accumulation and hence higher latent energy transfer (Figure 6).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Energy transfer coefficient · p. 4

    The faster drop in Eo at higher humidity is due to a greater frost insulation effect, since higher humidity leads to more frost.

    “A higher humidity exhibits a slightly faster drop in Eo, ostensibly due to a greater frost insulation effect, since a higher humidity leads to more frost.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
11 of 11
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Frost formation on heat exchanger surfaces is a common problem in low-temperature applications.

    “The formation of frost on heat exchanger surfaces is a common problem in low-temperature applications.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Frost leads to degradation of heat exchanger performance in terms of lower heat transfer and higher pressure drop.

    “Frost leads to the degradation of heat exchanger performance in terms of lower heat transfer and higher pressure drop.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    All local heat transfer surface temperatures are below frost point.

    “All local heat transfer surface temperatures are below frost point.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    There is a homogeneous distribution of frost on the entire heat exchanger coil.

    “There is a homogeneous distribution of frost on the entire heat exchanger coil.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The problem is quasi-steady-state in nature.

    “The problem is assumed to be quasi-steady-state in nature.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The thermal conductivity of frost varies with its density.

    “The thermal conductivity of frost varies with its density.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The frost layer is characterized by average properties.

    “The frost layer is to be characterized by average properties.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Radiation exchange between the moist air and frost is negligible.

    “Radiation exchange between the moist air and frost is negligible.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Part of the water vapour goes to increase the frost density and the rest to increase frost height.

    “It is further assumed that part of the water vapour goes to increase the frost density and the rest to increase frost height.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The enthalpy at the tube surface can be approximated by the enthalpy of saturated air at the refrigerant temperature.

    “If it is assumed that the enthalpy at the tube surface can be approximated by the enthalpy of saturated air at the refrigerant temperature”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The air at the frost surface is completely saturated.

    “It is also reasonable to assume that the air at the frost surface is completely saturated”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    There is a proportional relationship between the enthalpy and the temperature of the air.

    “it was assumed that there is a proportional relationship between the enthalpy and the temperature.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    As frost forms on the fins and tubes, it blocks off the free flow area, thereby increasing the airside pressure drop across the coil.

    “As frost forms on the fins and tubes, it blocks off the free flow area, thereby increasing the airside pressure drop across the coil.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Frost growth changes the actual spacing between fins, thereby reducing the free flow area.

    “Since the actual spacing between fins changes with the frost growth, thereby reducing the free flow area, this was incorporated into the model.”
14 of 14

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Analytical studies for the thermal performance of a heat exchanger dealt with frost formation phenomena too simplistically by either proposing models without robust validations or using correlations for heat transfer coefficients derived for a specific heat exchanger experimentally.

    “However, analytical studies for the thermal performance of a heat exchanger [20-23] dealt with the frost formation phenomena too simplistically by either proposing models without robust validations or using correlations for heat transfer coefficients that were derived for a specific heat exchanger experimentally.”

    From Modeling for predicting frosting behavior of a fin–tube heat exchanger (2006) · cites this paper as [20]

    Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 2 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • The main approach in the literature is to develop models based on heat and mass diffusion through the frost layer considered as a porous solid.

    “Finally, the main approach is to develop models based on heat and mass diffusion through the frost layer considered as a porous solid (Jones and Parker, 1975; Kondepudi and O'Neal, 1993; Le Gall and Grillot, 1997; Lee et al., 1997; Na and Webb, 2004a).”
  • There are few analytic studies for frosting behavior of real heat exchangers.

    “As a result, there are few analytic studies for frosting behavior of real heat exchangers [21-25].”

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Uniform frost assumption conflicts with predicted variation along the coil

    Minor

    The model assumes a homogeneous distribution of frost over the entire coil, but its reported result shows frost height varying along the coil depth.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Kondepudi, 1987, The effects of frost growth on extended surface heat exchanger performance — A review, ASHRAE Trans, 93, 258
  2. Oskarsson, 1990, Evaporator models for operation with dry, wet and frosted finned surfaces — Parts 1 & 2, ASHRAE Trans, 96, 373
  3. Senshu, 1990, Heat pump performance under frosting conditions — Part 1 & 2, ASHRAE Trans, 96, 324

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Kondepudi, S. N., & O'Neal, D. L.
Affiliations
Drexel University (US)
Corresponding author
Kondepudi, Sekhar N
Venue
International Journal of Refrigeration
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1993-01
Volume
16
Issue
3
Pages
175-180
ISSN
0140-7007 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1974414770
Cited by
54
References
6
Citations by year
2025: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 4
FWCI
1.10
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
International Journal of Refrigeration (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Heat Transfer and Optimization
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technologies
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Aerospace Engineering › Icing and De-icing Technologies
Keywords
finned tube heat exchanger, frost formation, frost accumulation, heat transfer performance, humidity effects, fin spacing, analytical performance model

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