@article{Han2026, 
author = {Xudong Han and Xinyi Zhang and Han Wang and Rijing Zhao and Dong Huang},
title = {Review of the Non-Uniform Frosting/Defrosting Characteristics of Air-Cooled Refrigerator Evaporators},
year = {2026},
journal = {Journal of Refrigeration},
volume = {47},
number = {3},
pages = {53-66},
keywords = {air-cooled refrigerators, non-uniform frosting, defrosting, return air duct, frost detection},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.12465/issn.0253-4339.20250326001},
doi = {10.12465/issn.0253-4339.20250326001},
abstract = {Non-uniform frost accumulation on evaporator coils is a significant feature in air-cooled refrigerators. It is also one of the important causative factors leading to evaporator performance degradation. This paper reviews related research in three distinct areas: non-uniform frost characteristics of air-cooled refrigerator evaporators, defrost optimization based on these characteristics, and frost detection optimization. A concise introduction is provided into the formation mechanism of non-uniform frost on air-cooled refrigerator evaporators, the influencing factors, and their impact on refrigerator performance. Frost-heat matching defrosting and frost suppression strategies for the evaporators of air-cooled refrigerators are systematically summarized. The complex challenges and solutions of direct and indirect frost detection techniques under non-uniform frost conditions are analyzed. The performance degradation of air-cooled refrigerator evaporators is summarized and discussed. Finally, this study identifies shortcomings in the research field of non-uniform frost on aircooled refrigerator evaporators and proposes potential future development directions. This study aims to provide a framework for the efficient operation and energy-saving optimization of air-cooled refrigerators.}
}