A CFD modeling system for airflow and heat transfer in ventilated packaging for fresh foods:: II. Computational solution, software development, and model testing

Abstract

In the previous paper (Part I) of this series, mathematical models of airflow and heat transfer inside ventilated packaging systems were developed and presented based on the porous media approach. In the present paper (Part II), we describe the CFD methods used to solve the mathematical models for both layered and bulk packaging systems, and the structure of a user-friendly software package (called ‘CoolSimu’) that integrates the modeling system. We also present the results of several simulation tests for both layered cartons and bulk bins of fruit undergoing forced-air cooling. Overall, the CFD modeling system gave satisfactory predictions of temperature profiles of fruit. When model predictions and experimental product center temperature data were compared, good agreements were obtained. The lack of fit at certain locations inside the packaging was attributed to inaccurate temperature measurement and uncertainties in model input data.