International Journal of Refrigeration 22 (1999) 425–441

Modeling of frost formation over parallel cold plates

K.A.R. Ismail, C.S. Salinas
Unicamp-FEM-DETF, CP 6122, CEP 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil

Abstract
This paper numerically evaluates some of the parameters involved in modeling the process of frost formation on flat cold
surfaces subject to the flow of humid air. The model employs one-dimensional transient formulation based upon the local
volume averaging technique. The modeling process was validated by comparison with available experimental data. Numerical
experiments were realized to determine the best initial values of the diffusivity, initial radius and geometry of the ice crystals.
This model was applied to the known case of flow of humid air over a single flat cold plate to predict the frost temperature,
density and thickness distribution along the flow direction and also the void fraction. The results were compared with available
results in the literature. The model was then extended to solve the case of flow of humid air between two parallel cold plates for
which there are no available results. q 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Flat surface; Humid air; Frost; Modeling

Modélisation de la formation de givre sur les plaques froides

parallèles
Résumé
Cet article évalue de façon numérique quelques-uns des paramètres impliqués dans la modélisation du processus de
formation de givre sur des surfaces plates et froides, soumises à un flux d’air humide. Le modèle utilise une formulation
transitoire uni-dimensionnelle basée sur une technique dite d’approximation du volume local. Le processus de modélisation a
été validé par comparaison avec des données expérimentales disponibles. Des expériences numériques ont été realisées pour
déterminer les meilleures valeurs initiales de la diffusivité, du rayon initial et de la géométrie des cristaux de glace. Ce modèle a
été appliqué au cas bien connu du flux d’air humide sur une plaque unique, froide et plate, afin de prévoir la température du
givre, la densité et la distribution de l’épaisseur le long de la direction du flux, ainsi que la fraction de vide. Les résultats ont été
comparés avec des résultats disponibles dans la littérature. Le modèle a été ensuite étendu dans le but de résoudre le cas d’un
flux d’air humide entre deux plaques froides parallèles, pour lesquelles on ne dispose d’aucune donnée. q 1999 Elsevier
Science Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved.
Mots clés: Surface plane; Air humide; Givre; Modélisation

Nomenclature D diffusion coefficient [m 2 s 21]

F diffusion factor
Bi Biot number Fo Fourier number
Bim Biot number for mass transfer h convection heat transfer coefficient
cp specific heat [J kg 21 K 21] [W m 22 K 21]
c1,c2,,…,c6 empirical constants, Eq. (28) hm coefficient of mass transfer [m s 21]
0140-7007/99/$20.00 q 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved.
PII: S0140-700 7(98)00069-3
426 K.A.R. Ismail, C.S. Salinas / International Journal of Refrigeration 22 (1999) 425–441

hsg sublimation enthalpy [J kg 21 K 21] reduce heat flow rate, while airflow rates and pressure drop
Ja Jacob number may remain nearly constant or sometimes change drasti-
k thermal conductivity [W m 21 K 21] cally. Defrosting is essential once the performance degrada-
Le Lewis number tion of the heat exchanger reaches a prefixed level. In spite
m_ mass rate / phase transfer of water vapor [kg s 21] of the large number of refrigeration, heat pump and heat
Nux local Nusselt number recovery applications, designing heat exchanger surfaces
P pressure [Pa] to accommodate frost growth and selecting defrost cycles
Pr Prandtl number have been limited to test results of specific equipment due to
q heat transfer rate [W] the lack of empirical data and theoretical models of frost
Rex local Reynolds number growth. Although this experimental effort is essential for the
Shx local Sherwood number efficient operation of heat exchangers under frosting condi-
t time [s] tions, it is not enough for design purposes of such equip-
T dimensionless temperature ment.
u, v air velocity components [m s] The frost formation process is complex owing to the fact
w relative humidity [kg m 23] that the frost properties vary continuously during the devel-
x coordinate parallel to the air flow direction [m] opment of the frost layer and also the air–frost interface
z coordinate normal to the plate [m] temperature changes continuously both with time and posi-
Greek letters tion. As the interface temperature changes, the partial pres-
a factor related to the flow turbulence sure of water vapor at the surface also changes, leading to
d frost thickness [m] changes in the thermal and diffusion boundary layers and
1 void fraction defined as eventually affecting the heat transfer and frost growth rates.
h directional vector Trammell et al. [1] studied, experimentally, the heat
f source term transfer from humid air to a horizontal flat plate held at
r density [kg m 23] sub-freezing temperatures. The quasi-steady state is defined
q volume of elementary control volume [m 3] as the condition of essentially constant heat transfer rate
Subscript reached after a certain interval of time during the test.
a air When the interface temperatures reaches 328F a cyclic effect
c cold of melting and freezing takes place and changes the nature
f porous frost of the frost formation.
s frost surface layer Padki et al. [2] proposed a simple method for modeling
t total the frost formation on different geometries. The method
tp triple point predicts the heat transfer and frost growth rates, frost thick-
tr transition ness and surface temperature as functions of time and posi-
v vapor phase tion. The method utilizes known convective heat transfer
b solid phase correlations for different geometries and Lewis analogy to
g gas phase determine the convective mass transfer coefficient. Model
o initial results were compared with existing experimental data and
∞ ambient good agreement was obtained. Sami et al. [3] presented a
Superscript numerical model based on the molecular diffusion of water
· rate vapor, energy, and mass balances, as well as equations of
* dimensional state. Their numerical results revealed that the proposed
model reliably predicts the frost growth parameters such
as density and frost thickness and compared well with exist-
1. Introduction ing experimental and predicted data from other models.
Östin et al. [4] studied, experimentally, the frost on paral-
Thermal processes in which heat transfer to or from a cold lel horizontal plates facing a forced air stream at varying
surface with the deposition of frost are important in a variety temperatures, relative humidities and air velocities. Both the
of industrial applications such as refrigeration, compressor surface temperature of the plate and the relative humidity of
blades, aircraft wings, heat pumps and heat recovery the air stream were found to have important effects on the
systems, and many others. As the frost layer grows, the frost thickness. The density of frost was found to increase
convection heat transfer is affected, in part, because of the with relative humidity and air velocity. Two classes of frost
insulating effect of the frost thickness. This can adversely formation were observed; monotomic and cyclic growth. In
affect the performance of cooling coils and plate freezers in the former, it was found that the condensed water vapor
domestic and industrial refrigeration equipment. Depending contributes, in equal amounts, to the increases in the thick-
on the exposure time and physical circumstances, frost ness and the density, while in the latter, melting at the frost
forming on cold heat exchanger surfaces may enhance or surface results in abrupt internal densification. Later Mao et
 K.A.R. Ismail, C.S. Salinas / International Journal of Refrigeration 22 (1999) 425–441 427

al. [5] presented measurements and correlations for frost freeze. This sub-stage is not modeled here and its data
formation on a flat plate. For uniform moist air-flow over were obtained from the literature.
a flat plate, typical measurements of frost thickness, mass 3. One dimensional growth period (t ˆ ttr1 to t ˆ ttr2); during
concentration and heat flux were presented as a function of this period the ice crystals grow perpendicular to the cold
the distance from the leading edge. Humidity, cold plate surface. This sub-stage has been modeled and the initial
temperatures, air inlet velocity (or Reynolds number) and conditions are given by the first sub-stage.
time were also measured. Sherif et al. [6] presented a semi- 4. (b) The stage of quasi-static growth: t $ ttr2.
empirical transient method for modeling frost formation on 5. This period involves the three-dimensional growth
a flat plate under forced convection conditions. Model period of the branching of ice crystals followed by steady
results were compared with existing experimental data growth.
showing a good agreement.
Considering the formulation of the first stage one can
Tao et al. [7] studied the characteristics of frost growth
write:
on a flat plate during the early growth period. The frost
growth process consists of two stages. The first stage • The energy equation;
corresponds to the liquid phase where water droplets are ! !
subcooled. During the second stage, the ice crystals start The variation of the Heat flow by
ˆ
growing in an ice-column form. Tao et al. [8] proposed a interface energy conduction
mathematical model for predicting the growth of frost on a ! !
flat plate. They simulated the frost deposition on a cold Heat flow by Latent heat rate due to
1 1
surface exposed to moist air flow using a one-dimensional convection frontier change
transient formulation based upon the local volume aver-
aging technique. Both spatial and time variations of
2T * 22 T * 2T * 2d *
temperature, frost density and rate of increase of density r*b cp*b d * ˆ kb* d * *2 1 2kb* *
were predicted, along with the time variation of frost thick- 2t * 2z 2z 2z*
ness. The predictions were compared with experimental   2d *
data, indicating good agreement. 2 4h* T * 2 Tg* 1 2r*b h*sg * …1†
2t
This study aims to investigate and determine the most • The diffusion equation;
adequate entry values to the adopted model on frost ! !
formation. This model is found to be extremely sensitive Rate of change Rate of mass
ˆ
to the choice of the initial entry values of ro, a and Fs. of mass transfer
Therefore, we realized a numerical study sustained by
experimental comparisons for the validation of the model. 2d*  
With these numerical results and the adopted procedure, the r*b ˆ 2h*m wg 2 w …2†
2t *
model was extended to solve the case of flow of humid air
between parallel cold flat plates for which there is no any
• The boundary conditions;
available data.
• At z ˆ d f:
• The rate of growth of the ice column surface ˆ rate of
2. Formulation of the model mass transfer to the column, or
dd*f h* h  i
The process of frost formation is complex due to the fact ˆ m* w∞ 2 w z* ˆ d*f ; t* …3†
that it involves simultaneous heat and mass transfer under dt * rb
continuously varying thermal properties and air–frost inter-
face positions, as can be verified in Fig. 1. To simplify the • The gradient of temperature along the column height is
analysis, it is usually considered that the process of frost caused by both convection heat transfer and latent heat
formation can be conveniently divided into three periods; due to mass deposition.
one-dimensional crystal growth period, three-dimensional  
growth period and finally the period at quasi-static growth. 2T * z* ˆ d*f ; t* h* h *  i
In the present work, a two-stage model is used with a ˆ * T∞ 2 T * z* ˆ d*f ; t*
2z* rb
transition time to establish the change from the first stage
to the second stage. r*b h*sg dd*f
1 …4†
kb* dt*
1. (a) The stage of one-dimensional crystal growth can be
subdivided into two sub-stages:
2. The nucleation (t ˆ 0 to t ˆ ttr1); in this period, water • At z ˆ 0, that is, at the plate surface:
condenses on nucleation sites of the plate coalescing to At the base of the frost layer, the temperature is equal to
form bigger droplets of uniform size and then starts to the plate temperature and there is no variation of the
428 K.A.R. Ismail, C.S. Salinas / International Journal of Refrigeration 22 (1999) 425–441

Fig. 1. Process of frost formation.

Fig. 1. Processus de la formation de givre.

column diameter along its height; conditions. In this study, these values have been obtained
  from experimental data.
T * z* ˆ d*f ; t* ˆ Tc* …5† • The transition times were determined using Hayashi’s
  work [9], as well as Tao et al. [7].
2d * z* ˆ 0; t* • The heat transfer coefficient was calculated from experi-
ˆ0 …6† mental correlation due to Trammell et al. [1] of the form:
2z*
Nux ˆ 0:05Re0:8
x Pr
1=3
…10a†
• The initial conditions; • The mass transfer coefficient is based upon analogy
ÿ
between the heat and mass transfer:
d*f t ˆ ttr1 ˆ d*fo …7†
h*
  h*m ˆ …10b†
d* z* ; t* ˆ ttr1 ˆ do* …8† cp*b Le1=3
• The coupling equations between the first and second
 
T z* ; t* ˆ ttr1 ˆ Tc*
*
…9† stages:
• In order to continue the modeling process from the first
stage to the second stage, it is necessary to treat properly
the results obtained from the first stage in order to use
In order to facilitate the numerical calculations, the them in the second stage and this is realized by evaluat-
governing equations were non-dimensionalized using the ing the volumetric fraction, 1b i, and the temperature, Ti,
following variables: as follows;
t* d*f kb* pdi2
tˆ ; df ˆ ; a* ˆ ; 1bi ˆ …11a†
d*2
0 =a
* d*0 rA cpb
* *
4`2
h*m d*0 c*pb z* r*v d*  
Bimb ˆ ;z ˆ ; rv ˆ ; dˆ ; Ti ˆ 1bi Tbi 1 1 2 1bi Tg …11b†
kb* d*0 r*0f d*0
c*pb DT * This procedure is recommended by Tao et al. [8]. The values
h* d*0 T* T*
Ja ˆ ; B ib ˆ ;T ˆ * ˆ of r fi and cpi are determined in terms of 1b i and Ti in the
h*sg kb* T∞ 2 Tc
* DT *
second stage.
(the dimensionless equations were omitted here for the sake
• In the second stage, the frost is considered as a porous
of brevity).
medium, the solid and the gas are in local thermal equi-
It is interesting to make the following observations:
librium, the convective effects are negligible within the
• The temperature of the gas phase, Tg , can be approxi- frost layer, the gas phase is thermodynamically ideal,
mated as: Tg ˆ a T∞ 1 (1 2 a )Tc, where a can vary and compression work and viscous dissipation in the
between 0 and 1 for very small and very large Re. b and g phases are negligible. Along with these
• The values of do and d fo depend on the material and the assumptions, the following additional considerations
temperature of the cold plate, and also on the ambient are adopted;
 K.A.R. Ismail, C.S. Salinas / International Journal of Refrigeration 22 (1999) 425–441 429

• h ˆ h(T) for the b and g phases. expressed as:

• h ˆ cp.T 1 C for the b and g phases. ÿ

21b z ˆ df ; t
• Constant thermal conductivity for the phases b and g . ˆ0 …17†
• The phase b contains only one component. 2z*
• There is no chemical reaction in phase g . • On the surface of the plate;
• fb ˆ 0 that is, the source term is zero.
T * …z ˆ 0; t† ˆ Tc* …18†
Using the average volumetric technique one can write:
• The energy equation; 21b …z ˆ 0; t†
! ˆ0 …19†
  2z*
2T*
2 * 2T
*
r* cp* 1 Dh*sub m_ * ˆ 7: keff
*
7T * ˆ * keff
2t 2z 2z* This last equation implies that the porosity of the frost layers
…12† near the surface is invariant.
• The continuity equation for the frost phase b ;
• Initial conditions
21b m_ * • The initial conditions for this stage are obtained from
1 * ˆ0 …13† Eqs. (11a) and (11b), that is, the coupling equations
2t * rb
between the first and second stages.
• To put the equations in a form amenable to numerical
• The diffusion equation of the gas–vapor phase; calculations, the following additional dimensionless
 
2  * h i 2 2   variables and quantities together with the other dimen-
1g rv 2 m_ * ˆ 7: D*eff 7r*v ˆ * D*eff * r*v sionless variables of the first stage model were used:
2t 2z 2z
…14† t* c*pf
tˆ ; cpf ˆ ;
• The boundary conditions: d*2
0 =aoeff
* c*pf0
• On the frost layer, the mass conservation requires that;
0 1
*
keff m_ * r*v
The rate of mass transfer keff ˆ ; _
m ˆ ; rv ˆ ;
B C
*
koeff r*fo a*oeff =a*2
o r*fo
B from the free air stream C
@ A
D*reff
to the frost layer Deff ˆ
a*oeff
0 1
The rate of mass diffused
B C These dimensionless variables and quantities were used to
B
ˆ@ to the interior of the frost layer C
A put the basic equations and the associated boundary and
1The rate of growth of the frost layer initial conditions in a non-dimensional form. The final equa-
ÿ
tions were omitted for the sake of brevity.
 ÿ
 2r* z ˆ df ; t dd*
r*of h*m w∞ 2 w z ˆ df ; t ˆ D*veffs v 1 r*f *f
2z* dt
…15†
3. Determination of the thermophysical properties
Also the energy balance requires that:
0 1 In order to simulate the process of frost formation it is
The rate of heat removed from
B C necessary to determine the general thermophysical proper-
B the frost layer to the free air C
@ A ties of the different phases and the transfer coefficients using
stream by convection experimental and empirical correlations available in the
0 1 literature.
The rate of heat conducted across
B C • The thermal conductivity, Dietenberg [10]:
B
ˆ @ the frost layer 1 the rate of heat C
A
630
liberated …latent† by the frost layer kb* ˆ …20†
T*
h ÿ
i *ÿ

* 2T z ˆ df ; t dd* [W m 21 K 21]
h* T∞
*
2 T * z ˆ df ; t ˆ keff 1 h*sg r*f *f
2z* dt
• The specific heat:
…16†
cp*b ˆ 2116:56 1 7:2845T * …21†
Finally, (The porosity of the formed frost) ˆ (The poros-
ity of the frost already formed on the surface) and can be [J kg 21 8C 21]
430 K.A.R. Ismail, C.S. Salinas / International Journal of Refrigeration 22 (1999) 425–441

• The density: where:

1 C1 ˆ 25674:5359; C2 ˆ 6:392547;
ˆ 0:0010907 1 1:4635 × 1027 T * …22†
r*b
C3 ˆ 20:9677843 × 1022 ; C4 ˆ 0:62215701 × 1026 ;
[kg m 23]
• The thermal properties of the dry air ASHRAE [11] are C5 ˆ 0:20747825 × 1028 ; C6 ˆ 20:9484024 × 10212 ;
determined from:
*
kar ˆ 0:001968 1 8:15 × 1025 T * …23a† C7 ˆ 4:1635019 …29†

[W m 21 K 21]
• The sublimation latent heat is estimated from the follow-
cp*ar ˆ 1004* …23b† ing equation:
[J kg 21 8C 21] hsg ˆ f20:04667 × ‰1:8 × …T 2 273† 1 32Š 1 1220:1g
344:9
r*ar ˆ …23c† × 2322 …30†
T*
[kg m 23] [J kg 21, where T is in K]
• The effective thermal conductivity of the porous frost • The heat transfer coefficients are estimated using the
layer is evaluated as in Yonko et al. [12]: expressions due to Mao et al. [5] as:
*
keff ˆ 0:02422 1 7:214 × 1024 r*f 1 1:1797 × 1026 r*2  0:611
f x
…24† Nuax ˆ 0:051 w20:860
∞ Ti1:647 Re0:317 0:206
dh Fodh …31†
dh

‰W m21 K21 Š *
Nuax kar
23 h*ax ˆ …32†
where r*f is in kg m . x *

• The effective diffusion coefficient is estimated as in Tao

h*ax d*fo
et al. [8]: Bi ˆ *
…33†
koeff
D*eff ˆ 1g D…1 1 F† …25†
• The mass transfer coefficient is determined from the
2 21 following equations (Mao et al. [5]):
‰m s Š  0:781
x
where Shx ˆ 1:019 × 1025 w22:859
∞ Ti20:119 Re0:185 0:187
dh Fodh
dh
 1:81
T …34†
D ˆ 2:19 ×1025
To ÿ

Shx D z ˆ df
[m 2 s 21]. h*m ˆ …35†
x*
• The effective diffusion coefficient at the surface is:
D*eff ˆ 1g D…1 1 Fs† …26† h*m d*fo
Bim ˆ …36†
a*oeff r*fo
‰m2 s21 Š where
where F and Fs are as given by Tao et al. [8]. r*ar vdh*
• The relative humidity, w, is estimated from: Redh ˆ …37†
m*
Pv:sat
w ˆ 0:6218 …27†
Ptotal 2 Pv:sat a*oar t*
Fodh ˆ …38†
where the saturation pressure at any instant and any point dh*2
is estimated using the empirical equation from ASHRAE
[11] valid for the range 2 100 , T , 08C. Ttp* 2 Tc*
Ti* ˆ …39†
DT *
ln…Pv:sat † ˆ C1 =T 1 C2 1 C3 T 1 C4 T 1 C5 T 1 C6 T
2 3 4

1 C7 ln…T† …28† • The density and frost layer thickness are estimated from
 K.A.R. Ismail, C.S. Salinas / International Journal of Refrigeration 22 (1999) 425–441 431
 
the experimental correlations [5] as: n
rAoTJ21 1 BoTJn 1 rCoTJ11
n
ˆ …1 2 r†BoTJn21 1 r Dn21
J

rf ˆ 5:559 × 1026 …x=dh†0:137 w∞

20:143 20:997
Ti Re0:715
dh Fodh
0:252
…47†
…40a† • (a5) From the calculated temperature, determine di from
[kg m 23] Eqs. (2) and (6).
• (a6) Repeat (a2) to (a5).
d*f ˆ 0:156… x=dh†20:098 w1:723 1:1 0:343
∞ Ti Redh Fodh
0:655
…40b† • Second stage
• (b1) Initial conditions
[m] • Data from the first stage;
• The values of the properties used in putting the equations T8, 10b , d0f , Dz8, nz ˆ 5, 10, 15, 20, respectively.
in a non-dimensional form are:
• (b2) Evaluate r0v
a*oeff ˆ 1:38 × 1026 …41† • (b3) Evaluate m_ o ˆ 0 (Null mass rate at the surface)
• (b4) Calculate the thickness of the frost layer d1f
[m 2 s 21]
ÿ
ÿ

ro z ˆ dof 2 rov z ˆ dof 2 Dz d1 2 dof
r*fo ˆ 92:84 …42† Doeffs v 1 rof f
Dz o
Dt
[kg m 23] o oÿ o

ˆ Bim w∞ 2 w z ˆ df …48†
*
koeff ˆ 0:245 …43†
• (b5) Interpolate the properties to the new interface
[W m 21 K 21] position.
* • (b6) Calculate T, use relaxation, iterate until the
koeff
cp*fo ˆ ˆ 1912:28 …44† difference between two successive iterations is less
a*oeff r*fo than 10 25.
[J kg 21 K 21] n
rAoTJ21 1 BoTJn 1 rCoTJ11
n
ˆ …1 2 r†BoTJn21
d*0 ˆ 0:0029 …45†  ÿ

1 r DJn21 2 mP_ 2 Jn21 Dt
[m].
…49†
with boundary conditions:
ÿ
ÿ

 ÿ
 T n z ˆ df 2 T n z ˆ df 2 Dz
Bi T∞ 2 T n z ˆ df ˆ keff
4. Numerical solution Dz

dnf 2 dfn21
4.1. Case 1: single flat plate 2 P2 rf …50†
Dt

To permit better understanding of the solution, a T …z ˆ 0† ˆ Tc

summary of the main steps used in the numerical
calculations are presented together with the pertinent
explanations. • (b7) Calculation of m_ 1 :
" ! !n21
• Define T∞, Tc, w∞, Rex, tr1 and tr2. 1 1
• First stage: m_ J ˆ
n ! 1 2 1b 2gJ21=2 rnvJ21
1 2 rnvJ 12
• (a1) Initial conditions Dt J21
P1
• T(z, t ˆ ttr1) ˆ Tc
• d(z, t ˆ ttr1) ˆ do ! !n21
5
• (a2) Calculation of the frost thickness, d1f 1 1 2 1b 1gJ11=21gJ21=2 rnvJ
6 J
dnf 2 dfn21 h  i
ˆ Bim w∞ 2 w z ˆ dfn21 …46† ! !n21 #
Dt 1
1 1 2 1b 2gJ11=2 rnvJ11 2 dn21
J
• (a3) Interpolation of the properties for the new interface 12 J11
position. …51†
• (a4) Calculate the dimensionless temperature profile
where 1 is the void fraction and g is the vapor fraction.
from Eqs. (1), (4) and (5), use relaxation and iterate
The boundary conditions used are:
until the difference between two successive iterations ÿ

is less than 10 25. m_ …z ˆ 0† ˆ 0 ; m_ z ˆ df ˆ 0
432 K.A.R. Ismail, C.S. Salinas / International Journal of Refrigeration 22 (1999) 425–441

Fig. 2. Frost formation over parallel flat plates.

Fig. 2. Formation de givre sur des plaques plates parallèles.

and Fig. 2. The same model is used as in case 1, except that the
" !# area for the air flow changes due to the frost deposit over the
1 1
exp 2P5 2 two flat plates. This leads to changes in the air flow velocity,
TJn To the Reynolds number and the local heat and mass transfer
rnvJ ˆ …52†
P4 TJn coefficients. The variations of air humidity and temperature
are not included in this analysis. Considering Fig. 2, we
notice that the initial hydraulic diameter of the channel is
• (b8) Calculate the new porosity 11b :
dh0 , while the hydraulic diameter at any instant is dh corre-
m_ nJ sponding to Reynolds numbers of Redh0 and Redh , respec-
1nbJ ˆ 1n21
bJ 2 Dt …53†
P1 tively. At the entrance to the channel the air velocity and
flow area are v0 and A0 , respectively, while at time, t, the
with the boundary conditions:
respective values are v and A. The gap between the plates is
ÿ

21b z ˆ df ; t H0 , the width of the plates is L, the spacing between the two
ˆ0 …54a†
2z frost layers is H while the frost thickness at the same posi-
tion is df . The thermophysical properties of the different
and phases are evaluated in the same manner using the correla-
21b …z ˆ 0; t† tions due to Mao et al. [5], except for the Nusselt and Sher-
ˆ0 …54b†
2z wood numbers which are affected by the changes of the flow
area and the local hydraulic diameter. In this case the local
heat transfer coefficient is evaluated using Eqs. (20)–(22),
• (b9) Repeat (b4) to (b8).
while the mass transfer coefficient is evaluated using Eqs.
The finite difference approximations of Eqs. (1), (2) and (23)–(28).
(10–12) are obtained using the implicit approach with the The dimensionless governing equations are solved
upwind difference scheme for the time derivative, the numerically as in the case of the single plate, except that
central difference for the internal nodes, and the backward the calculation procedure is slightly changed as below.
or forward difference for the boundary nodes. A downwind
• Define T∞, Tc, w∞, Rexo, ttr1, ttr2, Ho.
first-order difference scheme is used for the frost growth rate
• (a) First stage
of Eqs. (3) and (13). An iterative scheme with relaxation is
• (a1) Initial conditions
used to solve the difference equations. Convergence was
ÿ
ÿ

considered complete when the change of any variable values T z; t ˆ ttr1 ˆ Tc d…z; t ˆ ttr1 † ˆ do df z; t ˆ ttr1 ˆ dfo
was less than 10 25 upon subsequent iterations. Therefore,
…55†
for each time step, the spatial coordinates are updated based
on the new boundary position, d f, The spatial distribution of • (a2) Calculations of the frost thickness d1f
each variable at the last time step is also updated to fit the
new coordinate system using the polynomial spline interpo- dnf 2 dn21 h  i
f
ˆ Bim w∞ 2 w z ˆ dfn21 …56†
lation method. Dt

4.2. Case 2: double parallel flat plates • (a3) Interpolation of the properties for the new interface
position
In this case the humid air flows between the two parallel • (a4) Calculate, T, use relaxation and iterate until the
plates is maintained at a temperature below 08C as shown in difference in T values between two successive iterations
 K.A.R. Ismail, C.S. Salinas / International Journal of Refrigeration 22 (1999) 425–441 433
25
is less than 10 with the boundary conditions:
  ÿ

n
rAoTJ21 1 BoTJn 1 rCoTJ11
n
ˆ …1 2 r†BoTJn21 1 r Dn21
J
m_ …z ˆ 0† ˆ 0; m_ z ˆ df ˆ 0 …64†

…57† and
" !#
• (a5) Calculate di 1 1
• (a6) Repeat (a2) to (a5) exp 2P5 2
TJn To
• (b) Second stage: rnvJ ˆ
P4 TJn
• (b1) Initial conditions
Data from the first stage: T o, 1b o, d fo, Dz o, nz ˆ 5, 10, 15,
• (b10) Calculate 11b
20.
m_ nJ
• (b2) Evaluate 1nbJ ˆ 1n21
bJ 2 Dt …65†
P1
H ˆ Ho 2
o
2dof ; V ˆ Vo Ao =A; Redho ; dh
o o
…58†
with the boundary conditions:
• (b3) Evaluate rov ÿ

21b z ˆ df ; t
• (b4) Evaluate m_ ˆ 0o
ˆ 0; …66†
• (b5) Calculate the thickness of the frost layer d1f 2z
ÿ
ÿ

ro z ˆ dof 2 rov z ˆ dof 2 Dz o df 2 df
1 o 21b …z ˆ 0; t†
Doeffs v 1 r ˆ0
Dzo f
Dt 2z
 oÿ o

ˆ Bim w∞ 2 w z ˆ df
o
…59†
• (b11) Repeat (b5) to (b10).
• (b6) Evaluate

H 1 ˆ Ho 2 2d1f ; V 1 ˆ Vo Ao =A; Redh1 ; dh1 …60†

5. Results and discussion
• (b7) Interpolate the properties at the new interface
position The numerical study is initiated by optimization of grid
• (b8) Calculate T, use relaxation and iterate until the size and time increment used in the numerical simulations.
difference in T values between two successive iterations The numerical results of the first stage are presented in terms
is less than 1025 of the dimensionless ice diameter and temperature for differ-
ent times as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 5 shows the varia-
n
rAoTJ21 1 BoTJn 1 rCoTJ11
n
tion of frost layer thickness with time for different time
 ÿ

intervals. As can be seen the time step of 0.5 s seems to
_ 2 n21
ˆ …1 2 r†BoTJn21 1 r DJn21 2 mP J Dt …61†
be good enough for the present calculations. Fig. 6 shows
with boundary conditions: the effect of varying the grid size for four numerical tests,
 ÿ
 where nz was varied from 5 to 20. It is found that, nz ˆ 5
Bi T∞ 2 T n z ˆ df gives very inaccurate results as compared with the experi-
ÿ
ÿ
ments. The results of nz ˆ 15 and 20 are coincident and
T n z ˆ df 2 T n z ˆ df 2 Dz dn 2 dn21 agree well with the experimental data. We adopt nz ˆ 15
ˆ keff 2 P2 rf f f
Dz Dt for the numerical calculations to reduce the computational
…62† time together with a time increment of 0.5 s. Another impor-
and T…z ˆ 0† ˆ Tc tant parameter in the numerical calculations is the initial
• (b9) Calculation of m_ 1 : radius of ice column, r0 , which was varied from 50 ×
" ! !n21 10 26 m to 55 × 10 26 m. Numerical simulations suggested
1 1 that the value of 52 × 10 26 m gives good results and
m_ nJ ˆ ! 1 2 1b 2 gJ21=2 rnvJ21
1 2 rnvJ 12 compares well with the experimental data as shown in
Dt J21
Figs. 7 and 8. The value of the parameter, a , was also tested
P1
numerically in the range from 0.3 to 0.5 and the results were
! !n21 compared with the available data as shown in Fig. 9.
5
1 1 2 1b 1gJ11=21gJ21=2 rnvJ Analyzing the comparative results, one can observe that a
6 J value of a ˆ 0:4 gives good results and hence this value was
! !n21 # used in the numerical calculations.
1 Finally the influence of varying the diffusion parameter,
1 1 2 1b 2gJ11=2 rnvJ11 2 dJn21
12 J11 Fs, on the predicted thickness and density of the frost layer
…63† was analyzed. The value of this parameter was varied along
434 K.A.R. Ismail, C.S. Salinas / International Journal of Refrigeration 22 (1999) 425–441

Fig. 3. Ice diameter — first stage.

Fig. 3. Diamètre de la glace — première étage.

Fig. 4. Ice temperature — first stage.

Fig. 4. Température de la glace — première étage.

Fig. 5. Optimization of the time step Dt.

Fig. 5. Optimisation de l’étape temporelle t.
 K.A.R. Ismail, C.S. Salinas / International Journal of Refrigeration 22 (1999) 425–441 435

Fig. 6. Optimization of the space increment Dz.

Fig. 6. Optimisation de l’incrément de l’espace z.

Fig. 7. Effect of varying the initial ice column radius on the frost thickness.
Fig. 7. Effet de la variation du rayon de la colonne de glace initiale sur l’épaisseur du givre.

different time intervals and the results were compared with
the simulations when its value was considered constant and
equals to 0.33. Numerical simulations were performed for
Fs ˆ 0:33, 0.2 and 0.05. As can be seen from Figs. 10 and
11, the differences between the predicted values for constant
Fs and variable Fs are very small and consequently a
constant value of 0.33 was used.
Fig. 12 shows the predicted frost thickness as function of
time and comparison with the experimental data. As can be
verified, although the agreement in the tendencies is good,
the differences for the small and large operational times are
noticeable. This can be attributed to the precision of the
experimental measurements at the initial stages. The
increase of the frost density as function of time is shown
in Fig. 13 indicating a difference of less than 10% between
predictions and experimental results. The differences are
more pronounced during the initial stage, (less than 500 s),
this can be attributed to the initial condition imposed in the
numerical model as well as the necessity for detailed and
better experimental support. Although the differences at the
first instants are high, they have insignificant overall prac-
tical effects. The variation of the dimensionless temperature
of the frost surface as function of time is shown in Fig. 14
which indicates that the temperature profile changes gradu-
ally. Fig. 15 shows the temperature profiles across the frost
porous layer for different time intervals. As can be verified,
the temperature increases with time. The rate of mass
deposit across the porous layer is shown in Fig. 16 for
various time intervals, indicating results similar to other
authors findings. The variation of the void fraction across
436 K.A.R. Ismail, C.S. Salinas / International Journal of Refrigeration 22 (1999) 425–441

Fig. 8. Effect of varying the initial ice column radius on the frost density.
Fig. 8. Effet de la variation du rayon de la colonne de glace initiale sur la densité du givre.

Fig. 9. Effect of varying parameter a on the frost thickness.

Fig. 9. Effet de la variation du paramètre a sur l’épaisseur du givre.

Fig. 10. Effect of varying parameter Fs on the frost thickness.

Fig. 10. Effet de la variation du paramètre Fs sur l’épaisseur du givre.
K.A.R. Ismail, C.S. Salinas / International Journal of Refrigeration 22 (1999) 425–441 437

Fig. 11. Effect of varying parameter Fs on the frost density.

Fig. 11. Effet de la variation du paramètre Fs sur la densité du givre.

Fig. 12. Numerical Predictions and experimental comparison of the frost thickness.
Fig. 12. Prévisions numériques et comparaison expérimentale de l’épaisseur du givre.

Fig. 13. Numerical Predictions and experimental comparison of the frost density.
Fig. 13. Prévisions numériques et comparaison expérimentale de la densité du givre.
438 K.A.R. Ismail, C.S. Salinas / International Journal of Refrigeration 22 (1999) 425–441

Fig. 14. Variation of the surface temperature with time.

Fig. 14. Variation de la température superficielle avec le temps.

Fig. 15. Variation of the frost temperature across to the frost layer.
Fig. 15. Variation de la température du givre à travers la couche de givre.

Fig. 16. Variation of the rate of mass deposit across to the frost layer.
Fig. 16. Variation du taux de dépôt massique à travers la couche de givre.
 K.A.R. Ismail, C.S. Salinas / International Journal of Refrigeration 22 (1999) 425–441 439

Fig. 17. Variation of the volumetric solid phase fraction across to the frost layer.
Fig. 17. Variation de la fraction de phase solide volumétrique à travers la couche de givre.

the frost porous layer is shown in Fig. 17 for different time
intervals indicating the same trends obtained by other
authors.
Fig. 18 shows the variation of the air velocity at a certain
axial position and for three initial plate spacing. As can be
seen the velocity increases as the time increase due to the
reduction in the area available for the air flow. Fig. 19 shows
the frost thickness growth at a certain axial position for the
same initial gap spacing as compared to the single plate
case. Fig. 20 shows the frost density variation and its
comparison with the single plate case.
6. Conclusions
We realized during numerical testing that the model
adopted for steady frost formation was extremely sensi-
tive to the choice of the important entry values such as
r0 , a and Fs. Hence we conducted the present study
with the objective of clarifying these questions and
learn more about their effects. We investigated thor-
oughly by numerical experimentation and comparisons
with available experimental data, the effect of the entry
factors such as r0 , a , Fs and the frost column shape
(although not presented specifically here). We obtained
more information about their influence on the final
results and reached slightly different conclusions in rela-
tion to their initial values. As a result of the numerical
experiments, one can also conclude that a good initial
value of the radius of the ice column, ro, is 52 ×
10 26 m. The parameter a is 0.4, while the value of
Fs can be taken as constant of 2 0.33. These good

Fig. 18. Variation of the air velocity between the plates.

Fig. 18. Variation de la vitesse de l’air entre les plaques.
440 K.A.R. Ismail, C.S. Salinas / International Journal of Refrigeration 22 (1999) 425–441

Fig. 19. Variation of the frost thickness between the plates.

Fig. 19. Variation de l’épaisseur de givre entre les plaques.

Fig. 20. Variation of the frost density between the plates.

Fig. 20. Variation de la densité de givre entre les plaques.

entry values were used in the numerical simulations to Acknowledgements

solve the case of moist air flow between two parallel
cold flat plates. The results obtained seem to be coher- The authors wish to thank the CAPES for the financial
ent and presents a good contribution to the area. support to the co-author.
 K.A.R. Ismail, C.S. Salinas / International Journal of Refrigeration 22 (1999) 425–441
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