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 solidifications are simulated by
conventional methods but frost formation is a most complicated coupled 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. According to the obtained results
and based on the developed model frost formation over cylinders with different diameters are
modeled.