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Thermo-mechanical defrosting using multistable heat exchanger fins.

Number: 2182

Author(s) : THAKKAR A., PETERS S., BRAUN J. E., HORTON W. T., ARRIETA A. F.

Summary

Efficient defrosting of evaporator fins in a heat pump provides a significant opportunity to improve the overall efficiency of a heat pump. The mechanical defrosting method uses embedded negative stiffness heat exchanger fins and snap-through instability to shed and fracture solid glaze-like ice. We demonstrated the technological feasibility of the energetically efficient mechanical defrosting approach and made recommendations on fin design and boundary conditions to maximize the defrosting performance. The mechanical defrosting strategy does not cause occupant discomfort and is orders of magnitude more energetically efficient than the thermal strategy, demonstrating high effectiveness for glaze-like or high-density frost. However, the efficacy of the purely mechanical defrosting strategy diminishes for low-density frost. In this study, we design and manufacture scaled-down multistable heat exchangers and investigate the feasibility of different actuation methods. We propose a thermo-mechanical strategy involving heating and refreezing stages to convert the low-density frost into high-density frost and validate this hybrid approach to be a highly effective defrosting mechanism even in low-density conditions.

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Pages: 10 p.

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  • Original title: Thermo-mechanical defrosting using multistable heat exchanger fins.
  • Record ID : 30033068
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Technology
  • Source: 2024 Purdue Conferences. 20th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue.
  • Publication date: 2024/07/17

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