Numerical Analysis of the Influence of Frost Layers on the Heat Transfer Characteristics of Cryogenic Valves for Polar LNG Ships
Open accessAbstract
To investigate the impact of frost-layer formation on the heat transfer characteristics of cryogenic valves in LNG vessels, this study derived the temporal variation in the valve’s temperature field based on the thermodynamic characteristic parameters of the low-temperature valve. Additionally, a frost formation model was developed for the drip tray. This considered the physical model characteristics of the tray, and the frost thickness was calculated for different times. The morphology of the calculated frost layer was coupled with the low-temperature valve model for heat transfer calculations to explore the influence of the frost layer on valve heat transfer characteristics. The results show that, in the initial stage of frost formation, the frost layer acts similarly to a finned heat sink, enhancing the thermal exchange efficiency at the surface of the drip tray, which results in a temperature increase in the drip tray and stuffing box compared to the frost-free condition. However, as the frost layer grows on the surface of the drip tray, the surface heat transfer resistance increases, gradually diminishing the enhancing effect of the frost layer on the heat dissipation of the drip tray. The results validate the dual role of the frost layer in the heat transfer process of low-temperature valves, providing important insights for the design and optimization of such valves.
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Variations in thermal-resistance distribution across different surface morphologies directly impact defrosting duration and energy consumption.
“Likewise, variations in thermal-resistance distribution across different surface morphologies directly impact defrosting duration and energy consumption [20,21].”
From Analysis of long-term growth characteristics of frost layer on inclined cold surface of microchannel heat exchanger (2026) · cites this paper as [20]
Section 4.4.2 says frost-layer roughness and non-uniformity affect heat exchange, while frost growth increases thermal resistance. The paper does not establish that resistance differences across different surface morphologies directly affect defrosting duration or energy consumption. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredFrost-layer surface morphology critically affects defrosting efficiency: increased height variations between peaks and valleys cause uneven stress during mechanical defrosting, leading to cracks and reduced peeling effectiveness.
“Frost-layer sur face morphology critically affects defrosting efficiency: increased height variations between peaks and valleys cause uneven stress during me chanical defrosting, leading to cracks and reduced peeling effectiveness.”
From Analysis of long-term growth characteristics of frost layer on inclined cold surface of microchannel heat exchanger (2026) · cites this paper as [20]
Section 4.4.2 and the Conclusions discuss how frost-layer roughness and non-uniformity affect heat transfer on a cryogenic valve’s drip tray. Searches for mechanical defrosting, peaks and valleys, cracking, and peeling found no passage addressing the claimed defrosting mechanism; page numbers were not provided in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.75)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
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Cites
Dimensionless correlations of frost properties on a cold plate
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Frosting model for predicting macroscopic and local frost behaviors on a cold plate
Kim, D., Kim, C., & Lee, K.-S. (2015) · International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer · doi:10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2014.11.048 · Cited by 103 · cited 1× · see citing works
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A new time- and space-dependent model for predicting frost formation
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A new model for predicting performance of fin-and-tube heat exchanger under frost condition
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Sorted by citations
Han, Z., Han, B., Wang, Z., & Liu, H. (2026) · International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer · doi:10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2025.127985 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
- Authors
- Li, S., Lin, B., Bai, X., Wei, P., Wang, L., & Zhang, R.
- Affiliations
- China Ship Scientific Research Center (CN)
- Jiangsu University of Science and Technology (CN)
- National Key Laboratory of Ship Structural Safety, Wuxi 214082, China
- Corresponding author
- Bai, Xu
- Venue
- Energies
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Published
- 2025-01-11
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 302
- ISSN
- 1996-1073 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4406332981
- Cited by
- 4
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3
- FWCI
- 1.51
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Energies (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- The Project of Virtual–real fusion Testing Technology for Ship Structure Performance (WDZC70202030202)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Aerospace Engineering › Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Ocean Engineering › Offshore Engineering and Technologies
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Heat Transfer and Optimization
- Keywords
- frost layer, cryogenic valves, LNG carriers, heat transfer, stuffing box, frost thickness, heat transfer resistance, finned heat sinks, temperature distribution
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