Research on Air-Duct Optimization and Temperature Uniformity Analysis of Domestic Frost-Free Refrigerator-Freezer

Abstract

In this paper, numerical simulation and experimental research are utilized to improve the temperature uniformity inside the storage chambers of a top-mounted air-cooled refrigerator. Firstly, in order to accurately predict the temperature distribution characteristics inside the storage chambers, porous media technique as well as multiple reference frame method are used to simulate the temperature field. The comparison of monitored points between calculated and measured temperatures are conducted to demonstrate simulations show relatively acceptable agreement with experimental results. Secondly, by using computational fluid dynamics simulation, two new air-duct structures were designed on the basis of the original air-duct system, which significantly reduced freezer temperature deviation and optimized the air volume distribution ratio between freezer and refrigerating storage chamber. Finally, the influence of outlet size on the temperature uniformity, air volume and velocity distribution inside both storage chambers was investigated based on the optimized air-duct structure. The results indicate that temperature deviation in freezer storage chamber reduced from 3.7 °C/3.1 °C to 1.1 °C/0.3 °C during damper-on/damper-off condition after optimization.