Optimized Placement of Frost-Measuring Sensors in Heat Exchangers via Image Processing of Frost Formation Pattern
Heat exchangers (HXs) play a critical role in maintaining human thermal comfort and ensuring product safety and quality in various industries. However, the formation of frost on HX surfaces during cooling operations can significantly impact their performance and energy efficiency. Traditional defros...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/11/5253 |
| _version_ | 1797596694420914176 |
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| author | Martim Aguiar Pedro Dinis Gaspar Pedro Dinho Silva |
| author_facet | Martim Aguiar Pedro Dinis Gaspar Pedro Dinho Silva |
| author_sort | Martim Aguiar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Heat exchangers (HXs) play a critical role in maintaining human thermal comfort and ensuring product safety and quality in various industries. However, the formation of frost on HX surfaces during cooling operations can significantly impact their performance and energy efficiency. Traditional defrosting methods primarily rely on time-based control of heaters or HX operation, overlooking the actual frost formation pattern across the surface. This pattern is influenced by ambient air conditions (humidity and temperature) and surface temperature variations. To address this issue, frost formation sensors can be strategically placed within the HX. However, the non-uniform frost pattern poses challenges in sensor placement. This study proposes an optimized sensor placement approach using computer vision and image processing techniques to analyze the frost formation pattern. Through creating a frost formation map and evaluating various sensor locations, frost detection can be optimized to control defrosting operations with higher accuracy, thereby enhancing the thermal performance and energy efficiency of HXs. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in accurately detecting and monitoring frost formation, providing valuable insights for sensor placement optimization. This approach presents significant potential in enhancing the overall performance and sustainability of the operation of HXs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:56:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-649b0fa768844d178d97b5d9246ab015 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:56:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-649b0fa768844d178d97b5d9246ab0152023-11-18T08:34:39ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202023-06-012311525310.3390/s23115253Optimized Placement of Frost-Measuring Sensors in Heat Exchangers via Image Processing of Frost Formation PatternMartim Aguiar0Pedro Dinis Gaspar1Pedro Dinho Silva2Faculty of Engineering, Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, PortugalFaculty of Engineering, Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, PortugalFaculty of Engineering, Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, PortugalHeat exchangers (HXs) play a critical role in maintaining human thermal comfort and ensuring product safety and quality in various industries. However, the formation of frost on HX surfaces during cooling operations can significantly impact their performance and energy efficiency. Traditional defrosting methods primarily rely on time-based control of heaters or HX operation, overlooking the actual frost formation pattern across the surface. This pattern is influenced by ambient air conditions (humidity and temperature) and surface temperature variations. To address this issue, frost formation sensors can be strategically placed within the HX. However, the non-uniform frost pattern poses challenges in sensor placement. This study proposes an optimized sensor placement approach using computer vision and image processing techniques to analyze the frost formation pattern. Through creating a frost formation map and evaluating various sensor locations, frost detection can be optimized to control defrosting operations with higher accuracy, thereby enhancing the thermal performance and energy efficiency of HXs. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in accurately detecting and monitoring frost formation, providing valuable insights for sensor placement optimization. This approach presents significant potential in enhancing the overall performance and sustainability of the operation of HXs.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/11/5253heat exchangersfrost formationfrost sensingrefrigeration efficiencycomputer vision |
| spellingShingle | Martim Aguiar Pedro Dinis Gaspar Pedro Dinho Silva Optimized Placement of Frost-Measuring Sensors in Heat Exchangers via Image Processing of Frost Formation Pattern Sensors heat exchangers frost formation frost sensing refrigeration efficiency computer vision |
| title | Optimized Placement of Frost-Measuring Sensors in Heat Exchangers via Image Processing of Frost Formation Pattern |
| title_full | Optimized Placement of Frost-Measuring Sensors in Heat Exchangers via Image Processing of Frost Formation Pattern |
| title_fullStr | Optimized Placement of Frost-Measuring Sensors in Heat Exchangers via Image Processing of Frost Formation Pattern |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimized Placement of Frost-Measuring Sensors in Heat Exchangers via Image Processing of Frost Formation Pattern |
| title_short | Optimized Placement of Frost-Measuring Sensors in Heat Exchangers via Image Processing of Frost Formation Pattern |
| title_sort | optimized placement of frost measuring sensors in heat exchangers via image processing of frost formation pattern |
| topic | heat exchangers frost formation frost sensing refrigeration efficiency computer vision |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/11/5253 |
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