Micro-CT investigation of urea crystal structures for frost analysis

IF 4.9 2区工程技术 Q1 ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL

International Journal of Thermal Sciences Pub Date : 2025-03-27 DOI:10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2025.109893

A. Labuschagne, T. Zhu, W. Rohlfs

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Frost formation poses a significant challenge to the design and efficiency of air-source evaporator units. To model frost formation, a detailed understanding of the evolving three-dimensional microstructures that influence thermal and mass transport properties is essential. However, direct measurement of frost microstructures remains challenging. This study demonstrates that Micro-CT, combined with finite-element modelling, is a viable method for evaluating transport properties in complex microstructures. Using urea mushy layers as a stable, non-melting analogue, we successfully validated the methodology by resolving microstructural influences on thermal conductivity and mass diffusivity.

Our results highlight the significant role of structural complexity in transport behaviour, with ‘simple’ and ‘complex’ formations influencing heat and mass transfer differently. Deviations of at least 26.6 % between measured properties and predictions from empirical bulk-property models confirm that conventional approaches fail to capture the effects of structural heterogeneity. While these findings do not directly translate to frost formation, the validated methodology offers a foundation for improving frost prediction models by incorporating high-resolution structural data, ultimately enhancing the accuracy of thermal system designs in frost-prone environments.

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来源期刊

International Journal of Thermal Sciences 工程技术-工程：机械

CiteScore

8.10

自引率

11.10%

发文量

531

审稿时长

55 days

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Thermal Sciences is a journal devoted to the publication of fundamental studies on the physics of transfer processes in general, with an emphasis on thermal aspects and also applied research on various processes, energy systems and the environment. Articles are published in English and French, and are subject to peer review. The fundamental subjects considered within the scope of the journal are: * Heat and relevant mass transfer at all scales (nano, micro and macro) and in all types of material (heterogeneous, composites, biological,...) and fluid flow * Forced, natural or mixed convection in reactive or non-reactive media * Single or multi–phase fluid flow with or without phase change * Near–and far–field radiative heat transfer * Combined modes of heat transfer in complex systems (for example, plasmas, biological, geological,...) * Multiscale modelling The applied research topics include: * Heat exchangers, heat pipes, cooling processes * Transport phenomena taking place in industrial processes (chemical, food and agricultural, metallurgical, space and aeronautical, automobile industries) * Nano–and micro–technology for energy, space, biosystems and devices * Heat transport analysis in advanced systems * Impact of energy–related processes on environment, and emerging energy systems The study of thermophysical properties of materials and fluids, thermal measurement techniques, inverse methods, and the developments of experimental methods are within the scope of the International Journal of Thermal Sciences which also covers the modelling, and numerical methods applied to thermal transfer.