Experimental characterization of airflow inside a refrigerated trailer loaded with carcasses

• Published in: International journal of refrigeration Vol. 88; pp. 337 - 346
• Main Authors: Merai, M., Flick, D., Guillier, L., Duret, S., Laguerre, O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2018; Elsevier Science Ltd; Elsevier
• Subjects: Air flow; Airflow; Carcasses; Environmental Sciences; High temperature; Laser droplet velocimetry; Lasers; Microorganisms; Polyurethane resins; Pork; Pork carcasses; Refrigerated transport; Refrigeration; Spoilage; Trailers; Transport frigorifique; Two dimensional models; Velocity; Vélocimétrie laser doppler; Écoulement de l’air à travers des carcasses de porc; Airflow; Pork carcasses; Transport frigorifique; Refrigerated transport; Vélocimétrie laser doppler; Écoulement de l’air à travers des carcasses de porc; Laser droplet velocimetry; LASER DROPLET VELOCIMETRY; FLUX D'AIR; TRANSPORT REFRIGERE
• ISSN: 0140-7007; 1879-2081
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2018.01.005

•Airflow was characterized in a reduced scale trailer with and without air ducts.•Air circulation around the carcasses was less heterogeneous using the air ducts.•A low air velocity zone was found in the trailer rear part in both configurations.•Potential microbial risk zones due to the low air velocity were identified. After slaughtering, pork carcasses should be cooled down in chilled rooms (for 15–20 h) as fast as possible to reach a core temperature of 7 °C before transport to inhibit the growth of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. To reduce the time interval between slaughtering and the cutting plant, an alternative solution involving the loading of carcasses with core temperatures higher than 7 °C directly into trailers has been proposed. However, whether or not such a practice will lead to a sanitary risk has to be assessed. Experimental investigation was carried out in order to characterize airflow distribution in a reduced-scale trailer loaded with reduced-scale polyurethane carcass models. Velocity measurements were conducted using 2D-LDV all around the carcasses. This made it possible to deduce the flow pattern and the order of magnitude of the velocity inside the region occupied by the carcasses.