Water evaporation rate correlation based on Dalton model of enclosed space in frost-free refrigerator

Abstract

The air flow mode is forced convection in frost-free refrigerator with high velocity and water evaporation rate. Larger water evaporation rate has a negative impact on food preservation. This paper proposed a correlation to forecast water evaporation rate of frost-free refrigerator based on the classic Dalton water evaporation model. Dalton model is suitable for natural convection on water surface of open space. But the water evaporation in frost-free refrigerator is driven by forced convection in enclosed space. The water evaporation rate correlation is modified by airflow of upper and lower layers. The correlation is verified by experimental results of another frost-free refrigerator. The results show that the influence of air exchange rate and vapor partial pressure difference on water evaporation rate is independent. The water evaporation rate is linearly correlated with the above two influencing factors, respectively. The error of water evaporation rate between the experimental and the correlation predicted values is 2.36%. The correlation can be used to forecast the water evaporation rate of frost-free refrigerator. It also provides a reference for the derivation and modification of water evaporation rate in other enclosed spaces.