Numerical Simulation Studies of Ultrasonic De-Icing for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Structures
Ice accumulation on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) structures presents significant operational challenges. These challenges include reduced efficiency, increased energy consumption, and potential damage to equipment. Traditional de-icing methods, such as chemical t...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Energies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1797 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850212262787153920 |
|---|---|
| author | Hongbin Sun Praveen Cheekatamarla |
| author_facet | Hongbin Sun Praveen Cheekatamarla |
| author_sort | Hongbin Sun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ice accumulation on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) structures presents significant operational challenges. These challenges include reduced efficiency, increased energy consumption, and potential damage to equipment. Traditional de-icing methods, such as chemical treatments, mechanical scraping, or heating-based techniques, are often labor-intensive, costly, and environmentally harmful. This study uniquely investigates ultrasonic de-icing as an energy-efficient alternative for HVACR applications, focusing on the specific structural geometries found in these systems. A comprehensive numerical simulation framework was developed using finite element analysis to explore ultrasonic wave propagation across four distinct HVACR structures. Key parameters such as ultrasonic frequency, power levels, and the number and placement of actuators were examined for their impact on ice detachment efficiency. Results from simulations on a plate structure reveal that ultrasonic excitation can propagate effectively across large areas (at least 150 × 150 mm), enhancing the de-icing coverage. Lower frequency (e.g., 30 to 45 kHz) excitation results in greater displacement, improving de-icing performance, while increased actuator numbers with the same total power input also enhance effectiveness. Two actuators seem sufficient for the de-icing of a 300 × 300 mm plate. For tube-and-fin structures, specific high-power ultrasonic frequencies selectively excite the fin plates, demonstrating efficient ice removal when actuated on the tube. However, optimal performance requires careful design of actuator placement and vibration modes to accommodate the irregular shapes of these structures. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c8ae17c09d9a40868bbc2e5227b7bc01 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-c8ae17c09d9a40868bbc2e5227b7bc012025-08-20T02:09:22ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-04-01187179710.3390/en18071797Numerical Simulation Studies of Ultrasonic De-Icing for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration StructuresHongbin Sun0Praveen Cheekatamarla1Oak Ridge National Laboratory, One Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USAOak Ridge National Laboratory, One Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USAIce accumulation on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) structures presents significant operational challenges. These challenges include reduced efficiency, increased energy consumption, and potential damage to equipment. Traditional de-icing methods, such as chemical treatments, mechanical scraping, or heating-based techniques, are often labor-intensive, costly, and environmentally harmful. This study uniquely investigates ultrasonic de-icing as an energy-efficient alternative for HVACR applications, focusing on the specific structural geometries found in these systems. A comprehensive numerical simulation framework was developed using finite element analysis to explore ultrasonic wave propagation across four distinct HVACR structures. Key parameters such as ultrasonic frequency, power levels, and the number and placement of actuators were examined for their impact on ice detachment efficiency. Results from simulations on a plate structure reveal that ultrasonic excitation can propagate effectively across large areas (at least 150 × 150 mm), enhancing the de-icing coverage. Lower frequency (e.g., 30 to 45 kHz) excitation results in greater displacement, improving de-icing performance, while increased actuator numbers with the same total power input also enhance effectiveness. Two actuators seem sufficient for the de-icing of a 300 × 300 mm plate. For tube-and-fin structures, specific high-power ultrasonic frequencies selectively excite the fin plates, demonstrating efficient ice removal when actuated on the tube. However, optimal performance requires careful design of actuator placement and vibration modes to accommodate the irregular shapes of these structures.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1797HVACRicefrostultrasonic vibrationde-icingefficiency |
| spellingShingle | Hongbin Sun Praveen Cheekatamarla Numerical Simulation Studies of Ultrasonic De-Icing for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Structures Energies HVACR ice frost ultrasonic vibration de-icing efficiency |
| title | Numerical Simulation Studies of Ultrasonic De-Icing for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Structures |
| title_full | Numerical Simulation Studies of Ultrasonic De-Icing for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Structures |
| title_fullStr | Numerical Simulation Studies of Ultrasonic De-Icing for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Structures |
| title_full_unstemmed | Numerical Simulation Studies of Ultrasonic De-Icing for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Structures |
| title_short | Numerical Simulation Studies of Ultrasonic De-Icing for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Structures |
| title_sort | numerical simulation studies of ultrasonic de icing for heating ventilation air conditioning and refrigeration structures |
| topic | HVACR ice frost ultrasonic vibration de-icing efficiency |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1797 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hongbinsun numericalsimulationstudiesofultrasonicdeicingforheatingventilationairconditioningandrefrigerationstructures AT praveencheekatamarla numericalsimulationstudiesofultrasonicdeicingforheatingventilationairconditioningandrefrigerationstructures |