A SEMIEMPIRICAL TRANSIENT METHOD FOR MODELING FROST FORMATION ON A FLAT-PLATE

This paper models the frost formation process employing a semi-empiric al transient model for a flat plate under forced convection conditions . This continuous differential model employs the Euler's method to sol ve for the temperature and thickness of the frost layer using existing correlations for the convective heat transfer coefficient and the Lew is analogy to compute both a mass transfer coefficient and an enthalpy transfer coefficient. The model is also based on empirical correlatio ns for predicting the frost thermal conductivity and density. Model re sults are compared with existing experimental data and with numerical data of other investigators and are found to agree very well in the ap plicable temperature and humidity range of the frost density and condu ctivity correlations.