A polymeric approach to counteract frosting in air-to-air heat exchangers

Abstract This paper reports on studies of polymer coatings with the purpose of counteracting the problem of frost formation on heat exchanger surfaces. Both hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers are investigated in a model heat exchanger. For the hydrophilic coating, the time during which the heat exchanger surface is free from frost is of the order of 3 h. This time is found to be dependent on thickness of the applied coating, water vapour uptake and temperature. Compared to an uncoated aluminium surface the hydrophobic polymers investigated showed no improvement for counteraction of frost formation.