In this study, a direct formula that predicts either the frost formation on cold walls is correspondence to psychrometric-subsaturated or supersaturated regions is presented. The developed formula uses the data of the entering air dry-bulb temperature and absolute humidity, and the absolute humidity of the air at saturation corresponding to the coil surface temperature. Cases studies of demarcation criteria for frost formation on evaporator coil using experimental measured data, and on walls of cold storage freezer using measured data from literature are used to validate the formula and it is found that results are completely matches to the graphic plot of the data on the psychrometric chart. In case of cold storage freezers, the result clearly shows that a greater demarcation criteria value indicates frost formation under sever condition that is characterized as snow-like with low density and thermal conductivity.

This study aims at investigating experimentally and analytically the characteristics and properties of a membrane utilized to design compact absorbers for lithium bromide-water absorption chillers. The main focus of this study are the factors that influence the water vapor transfer flux into a lithium bromide-water solution in confined narrow channels under vacuum conditions, as well as the properties limits for utilization in compact absorber design. The results indicate that the desired membrane characteristics for this application are as follows: high permeability to water vapor, hydrophobic to the aqueous solution with high liquid entry pressure (LEP) to avoid wettability of the membrane pores and no capillary condensation of water vapor to avoid blocking of the pores. For practical use, this membrane should have a thin hydrophobic microporous active layer with a thickness up to 60 mm, mean pore sizes around 0.45 mm and a porosity of up to 80%. The active layer should be attached to a porous support layer to meet the mechanical strength requirements needed for practical use in the absorber of lithium bromide water absorption chillers application.