A CFD Simulation of 3D Air Flow and Temperature Variation in Refrigeration Cabinet

Presented is a 3D simulation of the air flow and temperature variation in an ice drink refrigeration cabinet, during an automated dynamic cycle of switching on and switching off. To correctly model the effect of perforated plate separating evaporator and storage compartments, a benchmark problem is designed, and used as a reference to determine the parameters in the porous-jump model by parameter optimization. Subsequently, the dynamic cycle of initial switch on, automated switch off and automated switch on is simulated. Both the flow field distribution and temperature profile are analyzed and the time required for these three stages is obtained. Full 3D CFD simulation of refrigeration system provides not only detailed temperature distribution in the cabinet but also operational parameters of the system such as for switch on-off cycle. Those output from simulation are important for cabinet design to improve the storage quality of products while reducing the energy use. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of Chinese Society of Particuology, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).