Numerical simulations of fin and tube air cooler and heat and mass transfer in cold storage

Fin-and-tube heat exchangers are extensively used in refrigeration systems applied to cold storage. Performance of the heat exchangers strongly affects the efficiency of refrigeration systems. Prediction of temperature, humidity, as well as velocity distribution in cold storage chamber requires accurate prediction of the finned air cooler operation. The operation of the air cooler unit is usually taken into account in modelling of the cold storage chamber but with very simplified geometry and physics. Results of numerical modelling of cold storage chamber equipped with the fin-and-tube air cooler are presented in the paper. Porous media conditions were applied for modelling of the analysed heat exchanger. The numerical results were evaluated on the basis of the experimental data. Good agreement between numerical and experimental results was achieved. Copyright © 2018 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.