Numerical Investigation of Freezing Time in Circular and Flattened Pipes Using CFD: Effects of Geometry and Flow Conditions

Authors

  • Hasan Asadikia * Faculty of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
  • Fatemeh Aminipour Faculty of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
  • Asma Mozaffari Faculty of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
  • Zahra Khodabandeh Faculty of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
  • Seyed Mahmood Kia Faculty of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22105/jeee.v3i1.59

Abstract

This study presents a computational investigation of the freezing process in circular and geometrically deformed (flattened) pipes using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The objective is to evaluate the impact of pipe geometry and flow conditions on freezing time and ice plug formation. A series of CFD simulations was conducted on pipes ranging from 1 to 5 inches in diameter, under both stationary and flowing fluid conditions, with varying degrees of flattening (0%–25%) and flow velocities within the laminar regime. The governing equations of mass, momentum, and energy conservation were applied in both Cartesian and cylindrical coordinates. Results indicate that pipe flattening significantly reduces freezing time, especially in larger diameters, due to increased heat transfer efficiency. Additionally, fluid velocity was found to delay freezing, with the effect more pronounced in wider pipes. Simulation outputs, including thermal profiles and freezing fronts, validated these findings. The results provide valuable insights for optimizing pipeline maintenance operations using cryogenic freezing techniques, enabling fluid isolation without full drainage or shutdown.

Keywords:

Computational fluid dynamics, Pipe freezing, Ice plug, Deformation, Heat transfer, cryogenic

References

  1. [1] Kia, S., Khanmohammadi, S., & Jahangiri, A. (2023). Experimental and numerical investigation on heat transfer and pressure drop of SiO2 and Al2O3 oil-based nanofluid characteristics through the different helical tubes under constant heat fluxes. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 185, 108082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2022.108082
  2. [2] Kia, S. M., Nejati Jahromi, M., & Isvand, H. (2022). Numerical and experimental evaluation and processing of unsteady flow around rotating cylindrical models with three orthogonal plates under forced rotation. Modares Mechanical Engineering, 22(11), 637-646. (In Persian). https://doi.org/10.52547/mme.22.11.637
  3. [3] Ashrafi, N., & Sadeghi, A. (2018). Numerical simulation of visco-plastic fluid flow between two parallel plates with triangular obstacles. Bulletin of the American Physical Society, 63. https://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/DFD18/Event/334178‎
  4. [4] Kia, S. M., & Talebi, F. (2018). Numerical investigation of unsteady flow around a circular cylinderat different reynolds number. The 26th Annual International Conference of The Iranian Society of Mechanical Engineers. Semnan, Iran. Civilica. (In Persian). https://civilica.com/doc/1134380
  5. [5] Kia, S. M., Nobakhti, M. H., & Khayat, M. (2020). Experimental investigation on heat transfer and pressure drop of Al2O3-base oil nanofluid in a helically coiled tube and effect of turbulator on the thermal performance of shell and tube heat exchanger. Journal of Energy Conversion, 7(3), 61–80. (In Persian). https://dor.isc.ac/dor/20.1001.1.20089813.1399.7.3.5.6
  6. [6] Keary, A. C., & Bowen, R. J. (1998). Analytical study of the effect of natural convection on cryogenic pipe freezing. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 41(10), 1129-1138. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0017-9310(97)00269-X
  7. [7] Sparrow, E. M., Larson, E. D., & Ramsey, J. W. (1981). Freezing on a finned tube for either conduction-controlled or natural-convection-controlled heat transfer. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 24(2), 273-284. https://doi.org/10.1016/0017-9310(81)90035-1
  8. [8] Keary, A. C., Syngellakis, S., & Bowen, R. J. (2001). Experimental and analytical study of thermal stresses during pipe freezing. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part E: Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering, 215(1), 63-77. https://doi.org/10.1243/0954408011530307
  9. [9] Jeong, G. H., Ahn, B. J., Seong, Y. S., & Kim, K. S. (2002). Numerical analysis of phase change and natural convection phenomena during pipe freezing process. Proceedings of the ASME Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference (Paper No. PVP2002-1584) (pp. 145-149). American Society of Mechanical Engineers. https://doi.org/10.1115/PVP2002-1584
  10. [10] Alexiades, V. (2018). Mathematical modeling of melting and freezing processes. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203749449
  11. [11] Alzoubi, M. A., Xu, M., Hassani, F. P., Poncet, S., & Sasmito, A. P. (2020). Artificial ground freezing: A review of thermal and hydraulic aspects. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 104, 103534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2020.103534
  12. [12] Alzoubi, M. A., Nie-Rouquette, A., & Sasmito, A. P. (2018). Conjugate heat transfer in artificial ground freezing using enthalpy-porosity method: Experiments and model validation. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 126, 740-752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2018.05.059
  13. [13] Huang, S., Guo, Y., Liu, Y., Ke, L., & Liu, G. (2018). Study on the influence of water flow on temperature around freeze pipes and its distribution optimization during artificial ground freezing. Applied Thermal Engineering, 135, 435-445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2018.02.090
  14. [14] Vitel, M., Rouabhi, A., Tijani, M., & Guérin, F. (2015). Modeling heat transfer between a freeze pipe and the surrounding ground during artificial ground freezing activities. Computers and Geotechnics, 63, 99-111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2014.08.004
  15. [15] Hu, M., Zhang, W., Xu, K., Yang, Z., Wang, L., Feng, Y., & Chen, H. (2024). Formation rate and energy efficiency of ice plug in pipelines driven by the cascade utilization of cold energy. Energies, 17(9), 1994. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17091994
  16. [16] Mikhailenko, S. A., Buonomo, B., Manca, O., & Sheremet, M. A. (2021). Cooling of periodically heat-generated element under the convective-radiative heat transfer in a rotating domain with a thermally conducting base plate. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 170, 107150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2021.107150
  17. [17] Jain, A., Miglani, A., Huang, Y., Weibel, J. A., & Garimella, S. V. (2019). Ice formation modes during flow freezing in a small cylindrical channel. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 128, 836-848. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2018.08.051
  18. [18] Gilpin, R. R. (1981). Ice formation in a pipe containing flows in the transition and turbulent regimes. Journal of Heat Transfer, 103(2), 363–368. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3244467
  19. [19] Liu, F L., Fan, S. K. S., Ndi, E., & Tu, J. F. (2021). An efficient no-shutdown pipe-fixing freezing design for water management system in hospitals during COVID-19: A case study. Water, 13(19), 2725. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13192725
  20. [20] Bijan Fard, S. H., & Karimi, A. (2005). Design and manufacture of pipeline freezing device. The Fourth Conference on Fuel Consumption Optimization in Buildings. Tehran, Iran, Civilica. (In Persian). https://civilica.com/doc/2694
  21. [21] Park, Y. D., Cho, H. C., Choi, B. I., & Kim, K. S. (2001). An experimental study for the liquid freezing phenomena in a pipe during ice plugging. Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers. b, 25. (In Korean). https://doi.org/10.22634/KSME-B.2001.25.3.366
  22. [22] Burton, M. J. (1986). An experimental and numerical study of plug formation in vertical pipes during cryogenic pipe freezing [Thesis]. https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/460752/
  23. [23] Tavner, A. C. R. (1992). An experimental study of ice formation and convection during cryogenic pipe freezing [Thesis]. https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/461013/
  24. [24] Bowen, R. (2000). An experimental study of ice formation in pipes [Thesis]. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361920351

Downloads

Published

2026-03-08

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): Journal of Environmental Engineering and Energy (JEEE)

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Asadikia, H. ., Aminipour, F. ., Mozaffari, A. ., Khodabandeh, Z. ., & Kia, S. M. . (2026). Numerical Investigation of Freezing Time in Circular and Flattened Pipes Using CFD: Effects of Geometry and Flow Conditions. Journal of Environmental Engineering and Energy, 3(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.22105/jeee.v3i1.59

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Most read articles by the same author(s)