Frost prediction based on a 3D CFD model of heat and mass transfer in a counter-cross-flow parallel-plate liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger

Mohammad Alipour Shotlou1, Nader Pourmahmoud1
1Mechanical Engineering Department, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

Tóm tắt

The frosting is a critical phenomenon in building systems because it decreases the performance of exchangers and damages them. In this article, heat and mass transfer in a specified liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE) and their effects on condensation and frost formation are simulated numerically using the 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique. The CFD model has been validated with experimental results for different design parameters, and the agreement is within ±2%. The developed CFD model provides the distribution of temperature and humidity ratio and MgCh concentration along the LAMEE. In the present study, effects of exchanger structure on producing viscosity and heat and mass transfer are studied. The selected LAMEE is a counter cross structure, therefore vortices appear in the inlet and outlet solution channel, and their influence can be seen on heat transfer in these parts. In addition, the diffusion of heat and mass transfer are studied on distributions of temperature and humidity ratio. Results show that the permeable membrane and moisture transfer make more regular temperature distribution along airflow direction in energy exchangers. This study provides an extended vision of heat and mass transfer. A 3-dimensional CFD model is developed to predict frost formation based on obtained temperature and humidity ratio. The CFD model is validated with an experimental study by calculating the frost limit. The developed model distinguishes condensed and frosted areas, and a new parameter is defined for this purpose namely as the frosted humidity ratio. Results show that frost and condensation distributions depend significantly on temperature and humidity ratio distributions. Adjusting temperature and humidity ratio to avoid air vapor to reach to saturation conditions is the better way to combat frosting.

Từ khóa


Tài liệu tham khảo

Abdel-Salam AH, Ge G, Simonson CJ (2013). Performance analysis of a membrane liquid desiccant air-conditioning system. Energy and Buildings, 62: 559–569. Alipour Shotlou M, Pourmahmoud N (2023). Innovative method to reduce frost formation in liquid-to-air membrane energy exchangers (LAMEE) based on 3D CFD simulation. International Journal of Refrigeration, 147: 22–31. Alonso MJ, Mathisen HM, Aarnes S, et al. (2017). Performance of a lab-scale membrane-based energy exchanger. Applied Thermal Engineering, 111: 1244–1254. Amer M, Wang C (2017). Review of defrosting methods. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 73: 53–74. Bai H, Zhu J, Chen Z, et al. (2017). Performance testing of a cross-flow membrane-based liquid desiccant dehumidification system. Applied Thermal Engineering, 119: 119–131. Bai H, Zhu J, Chen X, et al. (2020). Steady-state performance evaluation and energy assessment of a complete membrane-based liquid desiccant dehumidification system. Applied Energy, 258: 114082. Bartrons E, Galione PA, Pérez-Segarra CD (2019). Fixed grid numerical modelling of frost growth and densification. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 130: 215–229. Bartuli E, Kůdelová T, Raudenský M (2021). Shell-and-tube polymeric hollow fiber heat exchangers with parallel and crossed fibers. Applied Thermal Engineering, 182: 116001. Bhattacharjee C, Saxena VK, Dutta S (2017). Fruit juice processing using membrane technology: A review. Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies, 43: 136–153. Borgnakke C, Sonntag RE (2012). Fundamentals of Thermodynamics, 8th edn. Chicago, USA: Wiley Global Education. Chu J, Zhu J, Bai H, et al. (2019). Experimental study of a membrane-based liquid desiccant dehumidifier based on internal air temperature variation. Applied Thermal Engineering, 159: 113936. Conde MR (2004). Properties of aqueous solutions of lithium and calcium chlorides: formulations for use in air conditioning equipment design. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 43: 367–382. Ge G, Abdel-Salam MRH, Besant RW, et al. (2013). Research and applications of liquid-to-air membrane energy exchangers in building HVAC systems at University of Saskatchewan: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 26: 464–479. Ge G, Moghaddam DG, Abdel-Salam AH, et al. (2014). Comparison of experimental data and a model for heat and mass transfer performance of a liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE) when used for air dehumidification and salt solution regeneration. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 68: 119–131. Huang S, Zhang L (2013). Researches and trends in membrane-based liquid desiccant air dehumidification. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 28: 425–440. Kim MH, Kim H, Lee KS, et al. (2017). Frosting characteristics on hydrophobic and superhydrophobic surfaces: A review. Energy Conversion and Management, 138: 1–11. Li G, Zhang L (2017). Conjugate heat and mass transfer in a cross-flow hollow fiber membrane bundle used for seawater desalination considering air side turbulence. Journal of Membrane Science, 533: 321–335. Li W, Yao Y (2021). Thermodynamic analysis of internally-cooled membrane-based liquid desiccant dehumidifiers of different flow types. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 166: 120802. Li W, Zhan Y, Yu S (2021). Applications of superhydrophobic coatings in anti-icing: Theory, mechanisms, impact factors, challenges and perspectives. Progress in Organic Coatings, 152: 106117. Liu P, Nasr MR, Ge G, et al. (2016). A theoretical model to predict frosting limits in cross-flow air-to-air flat plate heat/energy exchangers. Energy and Buildings, 110: 404–414. Liu X, Qu M, Liu X, et al. (2020). Numerical modeling and performance analysis of a membrane-based air dehumidifier using ionic liquid desiccant. Applied Thermal Engineering, 181: 115754. Navid P, Niroomand S, Simonson CJ (2019). A new approach to delay or prevent frost formation in membranes. Journal of Heat Transfer, 141: 011503. Niroomand S (2018). Characterization of frost growth on a membrane. PhD Thesis, University of Saskatchewan, Canada. Niroomand S, Fauchoux MT, Simonson CJ (2018). Effect of moisture transfer through a semipermeable membrane on condensation/frosting limit. Journal of Heat Transfer, 140: 121504. Niroomand S, Fauchoux MT, Simonson CJ (2019). Evaluation of the frost properties on a semipermeable membrane. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 133: 435–444. Omer AM (2008). Energy, environment and sustainable development. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 12: 2265–2300. Qi R, Dong C, Zhang L (2020). A review of liquid desiccant air dehumidification: From system to material manipulations. Energy and Buildings, 215: 109897. Rashidzadeh M, Pourmahmoud N, Simonson CJ (2019). 3D computational fluid dynamics simulation of a 3-fluid liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE). Applied Thermal Engineering, 153: 501–512. Ren H, Sun Y, Lin W, et al. (2020). A review of heat and mass transfer mechanisms of dehumidifiers and regenerators for liquid desiccant cooling systems. Science and Technology for the Built Environment, 26: 465–483. Vali A, Ge G, Besant RW, et al. (2015). Numerical modeling of fluid flow and coupled heat and mass transfer in a counter-cross-flow parallel-plate liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 89: 1258–1276. Xi Y, Qi Y, Mao Z, et al. (2021). Surface hydrophobic modification of TiO2 and its application to preparing PMMA/TiO2 composite cool material with improved hydrophobicity and anti-icing property. Construction and Building Materials, 266: 120916. Yan S, Fazilati MA, Boushehri R, et al. (2020). Experimental analysis of a new generation of membrane liquid desiccant air-conditioning (LDAC) system with free convection of desiccant for energy economic management. Journal of Energy Storage, 29: 101448. Yang Y, Yang M, Huang W, et al. (2017). Heat and mass transfer in an adjacent internally-cooled membrane-based liquid desiccant dehumidifier (AIMLDD). Energy Procedia, 142: 3990–3997. Yu BF, Hu ZB, Liu M, et al. (2009). Review of research on air-conditioning systems and indoor air quality control for human health. International Journal of Refrigeration, 32: 3–20. Zhang L, Huang S (2011). Coupled heat and mass transfer in a counter flow hollow fiber membrane module for air humidification. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 54: 1055–1063.