Modelling refrigerating compartment of frost-free domestic refrigerators

Abstract

This paper is focussed on the study of the air movement and temperature distribution inside refrigerating compartment of household frost-free refrigerators. It is well known that the correct air circulation and temperature distribution inside the refrigerated chamber are two of the most important factors that affect refrigerator efficiency. In the frost-free refrigerators the cooled air is supplied directly inside the fresh food and vegetable cabinets. Therefore, studies intended to establish the actual air flow and temperature distributions inside these cabinets are relevant in order to improve temperature homogeneity and to reduce energy consumption. The methodology applied in this work is based on the numerical simulation of the cabinets by means of computational fluid dynamics. Turbulence is solved by means of a Large Eddy Simulation model. Unsteady threedimensional numerical studies are carried out, simulating the cooling process starting from a uniform warm temperature inside the refrigerator. Furthermore, the influence of the location of inlet and outlet ports is also investigated. © 2012 Global NEST Printed in Greece. All rights reserved.