Study on control and inhibition of frost formation on a flat plate.

In this work, we proposed a method of dehumidification in the boundary layer by means of condensation or solidification, which will have potential applications in heat pumps of cold-climate specification as a method of improving their thermal performances or COP. The prevention and control of frost deposition on the heat exchangers makes it possible to avoid or regulate the frequent defrosting of heat exchangers by heating. Here, in order to control as well as restrain frost crystal formation and growth on a cooling surface, micro-machined patterns were made on the cooling surface, and the effect these surface patterns on the frosting phenomenon was investigated under natural convection. In addition, in order to prevent the frost crystal growth, we proposed a method of generating super-cooled liquid droplets within the boundary-layer of the cooling-surface so that frost crystal formation and growth will occur away from the cooling surface.