The Effect of Round Flow Path Discharger and Back Panel Open Ratio on a Performance of Open Refrigerating Showcase

Abstract

Numerical study is conducted to confirm the effect of round flow path control and back panel open ratio on a performance of open refrigerating showcase in this study. The rounding control is applied to flow path of air discharger in various radii and the punched panel with various open ratios is applied to back panel of showcase. These structural changes have a significant impact on its aircurtain performance because both changes can affect flow pattern of showcase. To prove it, the two-dimensional steady simulation is performed using [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] turbulent model. The performance of showcase is assessed using entrainment factor which is a ratio between cooled air and ambient air at the suction of refrigerating part. As a result of simulation, the curved path at air discharger reduces the entrainment factor by a maximum 9% less than typical design. The curved flow path removes the dead zone at the honeycomb structure of discharger. In addition, it is found that there is an optimal back panel open ratio at the storage space of the showcase. When the back panel open ratio is 0%, the cooled air from the discharge is attached to the cold storage area because of the Cowanda effect. However, the Cowanda effect is eliminated when back panel open ratio increases. Results address that the entrainment factor remains almost the same at back panel open ratio 3.93% or more. Lastly, the simulation of showcase with product in cold storage area is conducted to confirm the structure changes effect on performance of real use showcase according to KS Standard.