Experimental study of the supercooling heat exchanger coated with fluorocarbon coating

Supercooled water is used as a superior method to generate ice slurry for its high efficiency and energy conservation. However, the ice blocking occurred in the supercooling heat exchanger is a prominent problem that reduces the efficiency of the ice generation system. In this study, in order to avoid or retard ice blocking, a fluorocarbon coating with super-hydrophobicity was applied onto the surface of the supercooling heat exchanger to continuously make ice slurry without any additives. As experimental parameters include supercooled degree, ice production, start time of ice blocking and flow rate etc. The experimental data were obtained by using a data acquisition system, and then were analyzed and discussed. It was concluded that the supercooling heat exchanger with the fluorocarbon coating could be fully applied to improve the efficiency of ice production due to the properties of the coated surface.

► The supercooling heat exchanger was coated to suppress the ice blockage.
► The coated surface shows a good superhydrophobicity.
► The coated supercooling heat exchanger presented performance improvement.
► A higher supercooled degree was got with the coated supercooling heat exchanger.
► Both tap water and pure water were found identical in the optimal velocity.