Lattice Boltzmann model for predicting frosting process on surfaces considering wettability

作者：Zhang, Shusheng; Jiang, Taiping; Huang, Hai; Huang, Lin-Jie; Zhang, Li-Zhi^*

来源：Physical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics, 2023, 107(6): 065304.

DOI：10.1103/PhysRevE.107.065304

• PHASE-CHANGE
• HEAT-TRANSFER
• SUPERHYDROPHOBIC SURFACES
• DENDRITE GROWTH
• ICE NUCLEATION
• FLUID-FLOW
• SIMULATION
• CONDENSATION

The process of frosting is a multiscale problem, which leads to challenges of proposing accurate numerical methods. In this study, a lattice Boltzmann model for predicting frost formation and growth on surfaces of various wettabilities is proposed based on the heterogeneous nucleation and dendrite growth theories. Three lattice Boltzmann equations are used to calculate the velocity, humidity, and temperature distributions. Furthermore, the heterogeneous nucleation theory and dendrite growth theory are used to construct the equations that govern ice production during the frosting process, so that the surface wettability can be considered. After experimental validation, the model was used in the analysis of frosting behaviors on plates and in microchannels with different wettabilities. The effects of the intrinsic contact angles and roughness on the frost layer properties were evaluated. This study will likely facilitate a better understanding of frosting on the mesoscopic level.