Impact of Convection Regime on Temperature Distribution in Food Distribution Storage Box

Abstract

This study aims to optimize the thermodynamic performance of a cold storage distribution box through the integration of a ventilation system. To achieve this goal, a prototype constructed from expanded polystyrene is developed, incorporating an active ventilation system to ensure cold temperature uniformity. Thermocouples are integrated into the device to monitor the temporal temperature evolution with and without ventilation. Concurrently, a 2D thermo-aerodynamic investigation is conducted using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The numerical modeling of the thermodynamic behavior of the cold source employs polynomial laws as input data for the computational code (UDF functions). A comparison between experimental and numerical results reveals the computational code’s accurate prediction of the temporal temperature evolution in the cold storage distribution box, particularly under forced convection conditions. The findings indicate that in the absence of ventilation, thermal exchanges primarily occur through air conduction, whereas with ventilation, exchanges are facilitated by convection. Overall, forced convection induced by the inclusion of a ventilation device enhances thermal transfers and the thermodynamic performance of the cold storage distribution box. Furthermore, air mixing limits thermal stratification, thereby facilitating temperature homogenization.