When operated under low ambient temperature conditions

the frosting rate of a microchannel evaporator is high

which restricts its application in refrigeration systems. In terms of the frosting phenomenon of a microchannel heat exchanger

this paper summarizes the factors that affect the frosting characteristics

the research on inhibition of frosting

and simulations of frosting characteristics. The factors that affect the frosting characteristics of a microchannel heat exchanger primarily include external factors (environmental parameters

surface temperature

and condensate)

structural factors (heat exchanger installation direction

fin structure

fin density

coating

and fouling)

and internal factors (refrigerant distribution). To improve the frosting characteristics of a microchannel heat exchanger

the fin structures can be optimized to obtain better drainage performance and more uniform frosting characteristics. Future research focuses on the development of a microchannel heat exchanger with better frost suppression performance and the establishment of a higher-precision simulation model.