Heat transfer modelling in a ventilated cavity loaded with food product: Application to a refrigerated vehicle

• Published in: Journal of food engineering Vol. 113; no. 3; pp. 389 - 398
• Main Authors: Hoang, M.H., Laguerre, O., Moureh, J., Flick, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: air; air temperature; Biological and medical sciences; Conduction heating; Doors; Food engineering; Food industries; Foods; fruit products; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Heat transfer; Heterogeneity; Life Sciences; Load temperature; Mathematical models; model validation; Refrigerated vehicle; Vehicles; Walls; Refrigerated vehicle; Load temperature; Heat transfer; Temperature; Refrigeration; Application; Food
• ISSN: 0260-8774; 1873-5770
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2012.06.020

► A simplified model is developed for heat transfer in refrigerated vehicles. ► The model allows the prediction of temperature of the front and rear loads. ► Air infiltration during door openings is also considered. ► Data of real transport of fruits and frozen foods are used for model validation. ► Good agreement is obtained. A simplified heat transfer model of a refrigerated vehicle was developed in which two loads (front and rear) are considered. The front load located near the supply air duct is subjected to higher air velocity and lower air temperatures compared with the rear load, leading to product temperature heterogeneity. The model takes into account heat transfer by convection between the internal air and the load, between the external air and the walls of vehicle and by conduction in these walls. Air infiltration during door openings is also considered. Model validation was carried out by comparing the calculated product temperatures with those obtained from transport of fruits and frozen foods in a semi-trailer. Good agreement between the experimental and calculated results was obtained.