| Title |
Effect of Super-Hydrophobic Coating on Frost/Defrost behavior in Fin-Tube Heat Exchangers |
| Authors |
Won-Jong Lee ; Kyung Jin Bae ; Oh Kyung Kwon |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.6110/KJACR.2021.33.3.122 |
| Keywords |
제상 에너지; 휜-튜브 열교환기; 착상 지연; 초발수 표면 Defrost energy; Fin-tube heat exchanger; Frost retardation; Super-hydrophobic surface |
| Abstract |
The formation and growth of frost in refrigerating systems can cause degradation of the system’s performance. Since super-hydrophobic coating technology can delay frost growth, it has received much attention. However, only a limited number of studies have investigated effects of super-hydrophobic surfaces on frost growth. Therefore, this study investigated effects of surface characteristics on frost behavior of heat exchangers. Heat exchangers with bare, hydrophobic, and super-hydrophobic surfaces were tested. Their frost retardation capabilities were evaluated by comparing the time taken for the air flow passage to be blocked. Super-hydrophobic surfaces delayed the time by an average of 61% compared to bare surfaces. Effects of surface characteristics on heat transfer rate and pressure drop of the heat exchanger were also evaluated. Super-hydrophobic surfaces increased the average heat transfer rate by 6.73% and decreased the average pressure drop by 41.6% compared to bare surfaces. In the defrosting process, super-hydrophobic surfaces decreased the defrost energy by an average of 24.9%. |