Temperature uniformity analysis of a domestic refrigerator with different multi-duct shapes

Experimental and numerical investigations were performed to improve the temperature uniformity in a top-freezer refrigerator system with an evaporator and a multi-duct system. In order to accurately predict the temperature uniformity as well as the distribution of the complex flow and temperature fields in the whole top-freezer refrigerator system, this study developed the comprehensive numerical methodology which combines the porous media technique and a heat balance method with the conservation equations governing the flow and temperature fields in whole top-freezer refrigerator system. Using this numerical methodology, the numerical simulation was effectively carried out with the actual boundary condition of the adiabatic wall in the presence of the evaporator and multi-duct system in the whole top-freezer refrigerator system. The effect of four different shapes of the multi-duct system on the temperature uniformity in the top-freezer refrigerator system was considered, giving the best temperature uniformity for the duct shape generated by a combination of rectangular and triangular blocks, which is approximately 56% smaller than the basic model. The distribution of temperatures obtained from this numerical simulation was compared with that obtained from the present experiment, showing the validity of the present numerical methodology developed with good agreement between them.

Automated summary

Experimental and numerical investigations were conducted to enhance temperature uniformity in a top-freezer refrigerator system with an evaporator and multi-duct system. A comprehensive numerical methodology combining porous media technique and heat balance method was developed to accurately predict temperature uniformity and distribution of flow and temperature fields. The effect of different multi-duct system shapes on temperature uniformity was considered, with the combination of rectangular and triangular blocks providing the best temperature uniformity.