Examination of Thermal Dispersion and Airflow within a Refrigerator

A blast freezer, characterized by its capability to diminish the core temperature of cooked food from 100 °C to -18 °C within 270 minutes, constitutes a critical component in this preservation process. This study endeavors to model a blast freezer system employing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methodologies, subsequently validating the CFD analysis through empirical investigations. The pressure-based k-ε turbulence model is employed to solve the Navier-Stokes and energy equations. The ensuing analyses encompass airflow assessments and temperature evaluations for unloaded and fully loaded blast freezers. Results gleaned from experiments and analyses indicate a temperature escalation within the cabin as it approaches the enclosure walls. Maximum velocities of 31.1 m/s and 26.9 m/s are recorded for unloaded and fully loaded freezers. The average disparity between the CFD and experimental models is computed as -0.7 °C, signifying a close alignment between the simulated and actual outcomes.