variavel0=<b>Jorge Alex Gatica Sánchez</b> - gatica@lttc.coppe.ufrj.br COPPE - UFRJ
<b>Nisio de Carvalho Lobo Brum</b> - nisio@serv.com.ufrj.br COPPE - UFRJ
<b>Abstract.</b> The dehumidification of the air in situations of low temperatures is a problem of great importance in the operation of fan coils in refrigerated warehouses. The defrost time represents an important operational cost and risk whose reduction is of great importance for the food industry. In this work we have investigated the formation and growth of the frost layer on a cold surface in order to simulate the practical problem described above. The models of Le Gall et al (1997) and Ismail and Salinas (1999) are merged for the solution of the mathematical equations linked to this transient physical problem. The resulting model conjugates the conservation equations for the liquid, the frost and the interface. Special attention is given to the ice fraction distribution and its relation with the temperature profile.
<b>Keywords.</b> frost formation, evaporators, conjugated problems.