An Experimental Investigation on Frost Control Using DC and AC Electric Fields on a Horizontal, Downward-Facing Plate

The effects of DC and AC electric fields on frost formation on a horizontal downward-facing flat plate was investigated in the present experimental study. Frost growth was influenced and controlled by electric fields generated by an insulated wire electrode. In order to quantify the effects of DC and AC electric fields on frost growth, both mass transfer and frost height were measured. Experiments were carried out in a test section where environmental conditions including air temperature, humidity, and flow rate were controlled. When an AC electric field (with frequency ranging from 135 to 1000 Hz) was applied at predefined time intervals, the frost mass reduction ranged from 12% to 36%, while the frost height reduction was between 22% and 33%. On the other hand, continuous application of high voltage and high frequency (above 100 Hz) electric fields was found to increase the mass of frost by as much as 44% while strongly reducing the frost height (up to 65%). An intermittent DC electric field showed interesting effects on frost formation, with a mass frost reduction of up to 10%.