Examination of Thermal Dispersion and Airflow within a Refrigerator

Year 2024, Volume: 39 Issue: 3, 695 - 707, 03.10.2024

Nima Molani , Haydar Kepekçi

https://doi.org/10.21605/cukurovaumfd.1560131

Abstract

A blast freezer, characterized by its capability to diminish the core temperature of cooked food from 100 °C to -18 °C within 270 minutes, constitutes a critical component in this preservation process. This study endeavors to model a blast freezer system employing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methodologies, subsequently validating the CFD analysis through empirical investigations. The pressure-based k-ε turbulence model is employed to solve the Navier-Stokes and energy equations. The ensuing analyses encompass airflow assessments and temperature evaluations for unloaded and fully loaded blast freezers. Results gleaned from experiments and analyses indicate a temperature escalation within the cabin as it approaches the enclosure walls. Maximum velocities of 31.1 m/s and 26.9 m/s are recorded for unloaded and fully loaded freezers. The average disparity between the CFD and experimental models is computed as -0.7 °C, signifying a close alignment between the simulated and actual outcomes.

Keywords

Blast freezer, Computational fluid dynamics, Temperature distribution, Airflow

Şok Dondurucunun Isı Dağılımı ve Hava Akışının İncelenmesi

Abstract

Pişmiş gıdanın çekirdek sıcaklığını 270 dakika içinde 100 °C'den -18 °C'ye düşürme kapasitesiyle karakterize edilen bir şok dondurucu, muhafaza sürecinin kritik bir bileşenini oluşturur. Bu çalışma, hesaplamalı akışkanlar dinamiği metodolojilerini kullanarak bir şok dondurucu sistemini modellemeyi ve ardından deneysel araştırmalarla CFD analizlerini doğrulamayı amaçlamaktadır. Çalışmadaki nümerik analizlerde k-ε türbülans modeli kullanılmıştır. Hem boş hem de tam yükle dolu olan şok dondurucular için deneysel ve CFD hesaplamaları yapılarak elde edilen sonuçlar birbiriyle karşılaştırılmıştır. Deneylerden ve analizlerden elde edilen sonuçlar, kabin duvarlarına yaklaştıkça kabin içindeki sıcaklığın arttığını göstermektedir. Boş ve tam dolu dondurucular için maksimum hızlar sırasıyla 31,1 m/s ve 26,9 m/s olarak elde edilmiştir. CFD ve deneysel modeller arasındaki ortalama farklılık -0,7 °C olarak hesaplanmıştır. Bu durum da, simüle edilen ve gerçek sonuçlar arasında yakın bir uyum olduğunu gösterir.

Keywords

Şok dondurucu, Hesaplamalı akışkanlar dinamiği, Sıcaklık dağılımı, Hava akışı

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