Predictions of frost growth on a cold plate in atmospheric air

A theoretical model for frost formation on a cold plate placed in atmospheric air has been developed in this study. Effects of plate surface temperature (T-w) and air conditions, such as air velocity (V), temperature (T-a), and humidity ratio (omega (a)), on the frost growth rate can be evaluated by using this model. Results show that the predictions of frost growth rate by the developed model agree closely with the existing experimental data during the frost layer growth period for most of the cases considered. Predictions by this model have also been compared with those obtained by the existing theoretical models. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd.