Density of desublimed layers

Abstract

Starting from the assumption that the growth of desublimed layers is governed mainly by heat and mass transfer, the authors present a model based on conditions in the diffusion boundary layer and suggest that the “hoarfrost” density depends on only one parameter. The discussion accounts for the process determining factors, i.e. the growth rate, mass transfer and gas concentration. The theoretical relationship is confirmed by the authors' own experiments on two systems and data from literature. The relationship can be established by a few laboratory experiments and permits the calculation of frost density and of associated variables, thus facilitating the optimization of desublimator design.