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CFD Modelling of the Thermal Performance of Fruit Packaging Boxes—Influence of Vent-Holes Design

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  • Adhiyaman Ilangovan

    (Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
    C-MAST—Center for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • João Curto

    (Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Pedro D. Gaspar

    (Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
    C-MAST—Center for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Pedro D. Silva

    (Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
    C-MAST—Center for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Nanci Alves

    (TJ Moldes, Embra, P.O. BOX 198, 2431-966 Marinha Grande, Portugal)

Abstract

The shelf life of perishable products depends mainly on the conservation of air temperature. Packaging boxes are usually used to accommodate food products during cold storage and transport and/or display. The design of the vent-holes of the packaging box must promote cold airflow and remove the field heat of the produce after harvest at a short time. This study describes the influence of the vent-holes design and its performance during cold storage. The cooling performance of the different packaging boxes is evaluated experimentally and numerically using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Three new packaging box configurations with the same size but different vent-holes design (size, shape and position) and a reference box are modelled. The transient three-dimensional CFD model predicts the airflow pattern and temperature distribution within the different packaging boxes. The best thermal performance packaging achieved a fruit model temperature 1.5 K to 5 K lower than the other configurations at the end of 8 h of cooling. These predictions allow the development of new packaging box designs that promote the shelf-life extension of perishable products.

Suggested Citation

  • Adhiyaman Ilangovan & João Curto & Pedro D. Gaspar & Pedro D. Silva & Nanci Alves, 2021. "CFD Modelling of the Thermal Performance of Fruit Packaging Boxes—Influence of Vent-Holes Design," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:23:p:7990-:d:691421
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhao, Chun-Jiang & Han, Jia-Wei & Yang, Xin-Ting & Qian, Jian-Ping & Fan, Bei-Lei, 2016. "A review of computational fluid dynamics for forced-air cooling process," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 314-331.
    2. Fábio Leitão & Pedro D. Silva & Pedro D. Gaspar & Luís C. Pires & Diana Duarte, 2021. "Experimental Study of Thermal Performance of Different Fruit Packaging Box Designs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-13, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Adhiyaman Ilangovan & Samia Hamdane & Pedro D. Silva & Pedro D. Gaspar & Luís Pires, 2022. "Promising and Potential Applications of Phase Change Materials in the Cold Chain: A Systematic Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Martim Aguiar & Pedro Dinis Gaspar & Pedro Dinho da Silva, 2023. "Thermal Management of Short-Range Distribution of Perishable Food Products Using Phase Change Materials in Packaging: Real-Time Field Data Acquisition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-13, July.

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