Journal of Appliance Science & Technology ›› 2022, Vol. 0 ›› Issue (5): 62-70.doi: 10.19784/j.cnki.issn1672-0172.2022.05.010

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Review on frosting of parallel-flow microchannel heat exchangers

ZHAO Rijing1, MA Zhiheng1, WANG Shouzhen1, HUANG Dong1, ZHAO Yongfeng2   

  1. 1. Department of Refrigeration & Cryogenic Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University Xi’an 710049;
    2. Jiangsu Clean & Cool Seiko Technology Co., Ltd. Changzhou 213200;
  • Online:2022-10-01 Published:2022-11-01

Abstract: For carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, the parallel-flow microchannel heat exchanger applied to small refrigeration system has become a research hotspot, which is a favorable substitution of the original copper heat exchanger. Review on frosting of the microchannel heat exchanger. Firstly, the conventional horizontal-fin configuration and some improvement schemes are introduced. In particular, the vertical-fin microchannel heat exchanger designed for the frosting condition is described. Then, numerical frosting models for the microchannel heat exchanger are analyzed, and the existing experimental researches are summarized from four aspects, i.e., substitution of the fin-tube heat exchanger, effects of environmental conditions, structural parameters and surface coating. For the popularization and application in products, it is necessary to optimize and innovate in structure, develop effective coating to retard frosting, and employ other anti-frosting technologies in the future. Meanwhile, it is also essential to develop an accurate frosting model as well as a complete design process for the microchannel heat exchanger.

Key words: Parallel flow, Microchannel heat exchanger, Frosting, Horizontal fin, Vertical fin

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