Thermal and fluid dynamic study of cold storage

Abstract

In any cold storage, it is common that the air distribution system generates some heterogeneity in the temperatures inside. Depending on the type of the product, the tolerance can be taken in more or less close and, beyond it, a problem in the degradation of the genre can appear. For some products, such as laboratory or pharmaceutical products, the problem can be critical because, unlike foodstuffs, such a degradation is difficult to appreciate immediately. The present study uses OpenFOAM to simulate the temperature and velocity fields in the storage areas and in a cold chamber for storing these products, in order to analyse posible hot spots or deviation from the optimal storage conditions, and proposes applicable design alternatives in the supply and return air system to correct the problem. Subsequently, the results of these simulations are compared with the experimental values measured on-site through the monitoring system.