Improved water freezing with baffles attached to a freezing tunnel: Mathematical modeling and numerical simulation by a conjugate finite volume model

• Published in: International journal of refrigeration Vol. 128; pp. 177 - 185
• Main Authors: Tabilo, Edgardo J., Moraga, Nelson O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2021; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Aerodynamics; Algorithms; Computer simulation; Congélation convective de l'eau; Conjugate modeling; Conjugates; Containers; Convection cooling; Finite volume method; Freeze time; Freezing; Heat exchangers; Heat flux; Heat transfer; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Modélisation conjuguée; Numerical simulations; Refrigeration tunnel/baffles; Simulations numériques; Temperature; Temperature distribution; Thermal boundary layer; Tunnel frigorifique/chicanes; Tunnels; Vortex shedding; Water convective freezing; Simulations numériques; Congélation convective de l'eau; Water convective freezing; Numerical simulations; Conjugate modeling; Modélisation conjuguée; Tunnel frigorifique/chicanes; Refrigeration tunnel/baffles
• ISSN: 0140-7007; 1879-2081
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2021.03.008

•Addition of baffles to tunnel walls originated major improvements in water freezing.•A CFD conjugate model describes convective processes in a refrigeration tunnel.•Control of vortex shedding behind foods is a key issue in enhanced cooling process.•Water freezing front and Nusselt number validated with experimental results. Unsteady conjugate mathematical model for natural heat convection with change phase of pure water inside of a square container caused by external mixed heat convection of cool air and the effect of baffles attached to a freezing tunnel has been studied numerically. The coupled equations were solved by Finite Volume method with the SIMPLE algorithm. Effect of the baffles on freezing time, evolution of local dimensionless heat flux and surface temperature distribution at the container with water were studied. The results showed that the hydrodynamic and thermal boundary layer were reduced due to the baffles, this effect reduced the freezing time and homogenized the superficial temperature of the container. Additionally, the effect of the length of baffles on the heat flux and vortex shedding frequency behind the water container were assessed.