A liquid cooling model that demonstrates the manifestation of the Mpemba effect

DOI: 10.17586/1606-4313-2026-25-1-82-89
UDC 536.2

A liquid cooling model that demonstrates the manifestation of the Mpemba effect

Kolodezhnov Vladimir N.

For citation: Kolodezhnov V.N. A liquid cooling model that demonstrates the manifestation of the Mpemba effect. Journal of International Academy of Refrigeration. 2026. No 1. p. 82-89. DOI: 10.17586/1606-4313-2026-25-1-82-89. (in Russian)

Abstract
It has long been observed that, under certain conditions, initially hotter water freezes somewhat faster than initially colder water. This paradox is known as the Mpemba effect. Despite recent interest in this topic, a definitive theory of this effect has not been developed. This paper considers a relatively simple model of liquid cooling that allows for the Mpemba effect to occur. The key assumption is that the heat transfer coefficient depends on the initial temperature of the liquid. Higher initial temperatures correspond to higher heat transfer coefficients. A qualitative justification for this assumption is proposed. The results of numerical experiments on assessing the influence of the main parameters of the model on the manifestation of the Mpemba effect are presented, which can be taken into account when designing cooling equipment.

Keywords: Mpemba effect, heat transfer coefficient, initial temperature, cooling time.