Modelling the defrost process in complex geometries – part 2: wall-function based coupling to a multi-region CFD solver

Abstract

Presence of frost in air coolers reduces the performance and thus has to be removed frequently. A method commonly applied for frost removal is hot-gas defrosting. For the efficient design of this periodically performed operating sequence, a precise prediction of the process is essential. A CFD simulation is a capable tool for this evaluation. This paper presents an integration of a defrost model into a CFD solver of the software Open FOAM. The multi-region properties implemented in the existing code are adapted for the metal fin and tube structure and the air flow channel. The extension of the solver for evaluating the frost layer is accomplished by an interfacial wall function which models the frost characteristics and performs the thermal coupling. The extended solver is tested in a simplified environment, focusing on a fin-tube section. The simulated course of the defrost process and the total defrost time are discussed.