MODELING OF FROST GROWTH ON A HORIZONTAL CIRCULAR CYLINDER UNDER NATURAL CONVECTION USING FRACTAL GEOMETRY ANALYSIS

In the present study, fractal geometry is used to model frost growth around a cooled horizontal circular cylinder having constant surface temperature. Fractal geometries are very applicable in this area because phase changes such as melting and solidification are simulated by conventional methods; but frost formation is the most complicated coupled with heat and mass transfer and conventional mathematical functions cannot capture the effects of all parameters on its growth and development because this process is influenced by many factors and it is a time dependent process. Data for fractal analysis and modeling are collected from the experimental measurements. In the present work, a fractal geometry based on the Von Koch curve idea is used to model frost growth procedure, especially in frost thickness and density. Comparison is performed between fractal modeling and experimental measurements. Results show that fractal geometry is capable to model frost formation process over a cold horizontal cylinder.