Impact of Environmental Conditions on Frost Crystal Structure

Abstract

Frost crystal type and distribution were characterized in the initial periods of frost growth on an aluminum surface. Experiments were carried out for a range of wall temperatures from [Formula: see text]C to [Formula: see text]C, air temperatures from [Formula: see text]C to [Formula: see text]C, relative humidities from 15% to 85%, and air velocities from 0.5 to 5.0[Formula: see text]m/s. The results showed that frost crystal type was strongly dependent on the wall temperature and humidity. Changing the air temperature shifted the region of some frost crystal types. Decreasing the air temperature from 22 down to either [Formula: see text]C or [Formula: see text]C led to the decrease of feather crystals but increased the region of scroll crystals. Air velocity had smaller impacts on frost crystal type but had a strong influence on the distance between the crystals, particularly at lower air velocities. The results were compared to prior researchers. The results should provide a better understanding of frost morphology during the early stages of frost growth on metal surfaces.