Proposal, Robustness Analysis and Equivalent Implementation of Optimization Method for Row-by-Row Fin Distribution in Multi-Row Frosting Evaporator

The evaporator in a frost-free refrigerator typically has more tube rows, but frost deposition reduces along the airflow direction. Correspondingly, fin distribution is thinner upstream rows denser downstream, and good match between achieved to recover capacity loss. However, quantitative design principles of non-uniform are lacking. A quasi-static frosting model established experimentally verified considering three-dimensional (3D) evaporator, 1D growth distribution. An optimization method for row-by-row multi-row proposed based on air pressure drop’s increase rate. When rate drop each row almost equal, smallest overall obtained, leading highest flowrate greatest capacity. By applying method, by 5.5% 4.6%, respectively, compared original scheme. Moreover, robustness validated under wide temperature humidity operating conditions. equivalent implementation an initial no-frost condition also facilitate without calculating whole process.