Effect of Moisture Transfer Through a Semipermeable Membrane on Condensation/Frosting Limit
Abstract
This paper investigates frost formation on a flat horizontal surface, with humid air flowing over the surface and a cold liquid desiccant flowing below the surface. Two different surfaces, a semipermeable membrane and an impermeable plate, are tested. The condensation/frosting limit, that is, the lowest air humidity ratio, Wair, at a constant liquid temperature, Tliq, or the highest Tliq at a constant Wair that leads to condensation/frosting, is determined for each surface. The main aim of this study is to find the effect of moisture transfer through the semipermeable membrane on the condensation/frosting limit. It is found that the semipermeable membrane has a lower condensation/frosting limit, due to the moisture transfer through the semipermeable membrane, which dehumidifies the air flow. For a given Wair, the surface temperature can be approximately 5 to 8 °C lower when using a semipermeable membrane, compared to an impermeable plate, before condensation/frosting occurs. Furthermore, it is shown that at some operating conditions, frost appears on the semipermeable membrane only at the air flow entrance of the test section, while the impermeable plate was fully covered with frost at the same operating conditions. Moreover, it is shown that increasing the moisture transfer rate through the semipermeable membrane decreases the frosting limit and delays frost formation.
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For the frost thickness on a semipermeable membrane, it increases with increasing air temperature, air relative humidity, and the concentration of liquid desiccant, but decreases with increasing temperature of liquid desiccant.
“For the frost thickness on a semipermeable membrane, it was increased with an increase in air temperature, air relative humidity, and the concentration of liquid desiccant, but decreased with an increase in the temperature of liquid desiccant.”
From Frosting mechanism and behaviors on surfaces with simple geometries: A state-of-the-art literature review (2022) · cites this paper as [152]
Water transfer rate of the semipermeable membrane significantly impacts its frosting characteristics, such as the duration of droplet condensation stage and frost crystal morphology.
“In particular, they indicated that water transfer rate of the semipermeable membrane significantly impacted its frosting characteristics, such as the duration of droplet condensation stage and frost crystal morphology.”
From Frosting mechanism and behaviors on surfaces with simple geometries: A state-of-the-art literature review (2022) · cites this paper as [152]
The surface temperature of a semipermeable membrane when condensation or frosting occurred was 5 to 8°C lower than that of an impermeable plate.
“The experimental results showed that the surface temperature of a semipermeable membrane when condensation or frosting occurred was 5 to 8 ◦ C lower than that of an impermeable plate.”
From Frosting mechanism and behaviors on surfaces with simple geometries: A state-of-the-art literature review (2022) · cites this paper as [152]
Enhancing the moisture transfer rate of semipermeable membrane can effectively delay frost formation.
“As shown in Fig. 20, enhancing the moisture transfer rate of semipermeable membrane can effectively delay frost formation.”
From Frosting mechanism and behaviors on surfaces with simple geometries: A state-of-the-art literature review (2022) · cites this paper as [152]
Cites
Frost formation with varying environmental parameters
Jones, B. W., & Parker, J. D. (1975) · Journal of Heat Transfer · doi:10.1115/1.3450350 · Cited by 171 · see citing works
Modelling of frost growth and densification
Le Gall, R., Grillot, J. M., & Jallut, C. (1997) · International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer · doi:10.1016/s0017-9310(96)00359-6 · Cited by 153 · see citing works
Measurement and Correlation of Water Frost Thermal Conductivity and Density
Biguria, G., & Wenzel, L. A. (1970) · Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Fundamentals · doi:10.1021/i160033a021 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
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Zhang, L., Song, M., Deng, S., Shen, J., & Dang, C. (2022) · Applied Thermal Engineering · doi:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2022.118984 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
- Authors
- Niroomand, S., Fauchoux, M. T., & Simonson, C. J.
- Affiliations
- University of Saskatchewan (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Niroomand, S.
- Venue
- Journal of Heat Transfer
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2018-09-25
- Volume
- 140
- Issue
- 12
- ISSN
- 0022-1481 (ISSN-L)
- 1528-8943
- OpenAlex
- W2888004421
- Cited by
- 14
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2
- FWCI
- 0.64
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- ASME Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- University of Saskatchewan
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Adsorption and Cooling Systems
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Aerospace Engineering › Icing and De-icing Technologies
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technologies
- Keywords
- frost formation, semipermeable membranes, moisture transport, liquid desiccant, air dehumidification, surface temperature
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