Computationally efficient modeling strategy for evaporator performance under frost conditions

•A numerically efficient but accurate model for frosting evaporators is developed.•The enthalpy-based reformulation and linearization method are employed•Simulation results on flat plate and finned-tube heat exchangers are provided.•It is 8 to 20 times faster than reference models but withcomparable...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of refrigeration 2018-12, Vol.96, p.88-99
Main Authors: Kim, Donghun, Braun, James E., Ramaraj, Sugirdhalakshmi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Computational efficiency
Defrost
Differential equations
Dégivrage
Enthalpy
Evaporation
Evaporators
Flat plates
Frost
Frost modeling
Frosting evaporator
Givrage de l’évaporateur
Heat exchanger
Heat exchangers
Heat transfer
Ice
Iterative methods
Mass transfer
Mathematical models
Model accuracy
Modélisation du givre
Nonlinear equations
Refrigeration
Solvers
Tube heat exchangers
Échangeur de chaleur
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:•A numerically efficient but accurate model for frosting evaporators is developed.•The enthalpy-based reformulation and linearization method are employed•Simulation results on flat plate and finned-tube heat exchangers are provided.•It is 8 to 20 times faster than reference models but withcomparable accuracy. Growth of a frost layer on an evaporator surface due to low evaporator temperature as well as moisture contained in surrounding air deteriorates performance of a refrigeration system significantly and requires significant energy for defrost. Many studies have been performed to model the heat and mass transfer phenomena in an attempt to have insight and accurate prediction. However, many models form nonlinear algebraic differential equations which require iterative numerical solvers. Computationally efficient but accurate models are needed in order to evaluate overall system performance. The objective of this paper is to introduce a modeling approach to overcome the problem. A solution strategy based on an enthalpy-based reformulation and linearization method will be presented. Comparisons of the proposed and detailed model results for both flat plate and finned tube heat exchangers are provided. The proposed modeling approach is around 10 times faster than reference models while maintaining comparable accuracy.
ISSN:0140-7007
1879-2081
DOI:10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2018.09.004