Numerical prediction of the unsteady temperature distribution in a cooling cabinet

Alfaro-Ayala, J. Arturo; Uribe-Ramı́rez, A.R.; Minchaca-Mojica, Jesús I.; Ramírez-Minguela, J.J.; Alvarado-Alcalá, B. Uciel; López-Núñez, Oscar A.

doi:10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2016.09.022

Cited by 11 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Numerous thermal engineering studies have evaluated and modeled positional temperature gradients, airflow, and convection patterns in domestic refrigerators [30][31][32][33][34]. It is no surprise that these dynamical variables are the primary drivers of stored product temperatures.…”

Section: Storage Containersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of thermal ballast loading on temperature stability of domestic refrigerators used for vaccine storage

Chojnacky

Rodriguez

2020

PLoS ONE

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Vaccine temperature control failures represent a significant public and private healthcare cost. Vaccines damaged by excessive heat or freezing lose their effectiveness, putting public health at risk. Some vaccine administration programs recommend placing water bottles inside domestic refrigerators used for vaccine storage as a thermal ballast, to mitigate temperature excursion risks. However, the effect of variable thermal ballast loading on refrigerator performance has not been thoroughly quantified or documented, and generalized programmatic recommendations are subject to end-user interpretation. Here we show that a thermal ballast load comprising ten to fifteen percent of the total refrigerator storage volume provides a measurable effect on domestic refrigerator temperature stability during power outage events, maintaining vaccine temperatures between 2˚C and 8˚C for 4 to 6 hours without power. Thermal ballast usage does not reliably reduce the frequency or severity of temperature excursions caused by repeated door opening, accidental "door left open" events, or refrigerator defrost cycle activation. Use of a moderate thermal ballast load is a practical strategy for mitigating temperature excursions risks in areas with frequent or protracted power outages, but the practice has limited benefit in other adverse scenarios. Empowering providers to make informed decisions about the use of thermal ballast materials supports better, safer vaccine management.

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Section: Storage Containersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of thermal ballast loading on temperature stability of domestic refrigerators used for vaccine storage

Chojnacky

Rodriguez

2020

PLoS ONE

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“…Another common problem in refrigeration of foodstuffs is the modelling of refrigerated display cabinets, as investigated by several authors [24,25], and most recently by Rossetti et al [26], who use a detailed CFD model to investigate the maldistribution of air flows within an open cabinet. Closed cooling cabinets were examined by Alfaro-Ayala et al; [27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

CFD Simulation of an Industrial Spiral Refrigeration System

2019

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In the food industry, heating and cooling are key processes where CFD can play an important role in improving quality, productivity and reducing energy costs. Cooling products after baking is crucial for storage and transportation; the product has to be cooled efficiently to a specified temperature (often to fulfill regulatory requirements) whilst preserving its quality. This study involves the analysis of spiral cooling refrigerators used in cooling food products, in this case, Cornish Pasties. Three separate sets of CFD models were developed and validated against experimental data taken in the laboratory and measurements taken in use in industry. In the first set of models a full CFD model was developed of a refrigeration spiral including the pasties, and used to study the heat transfer from the products to the air. Further simulations were carried out on individual pasties to explore the pasty cooling and heat transfer to the air in more detail, with the pasty geometry being determined from MRI scans. In the final set of simulations, Image Based Meshing (IBM) was used to determine the interior structure of the pasty and develop a full heat conduction model of the interior, which was compared with separate laboratory experiments using jets of cold air to cool the pasty. In all cases, good agreement was obtained between the CFD results and experimental data, whilst the CFD simulations provide valuable information about the air flows and cooling in the industrial system.

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