Cooling

Carcass Cooling Simulation

     CFD techniques can be used to simulate carcass cooling. Air flow patterns at each cell location within the chiller were first modeled. The results of one such location and in one plane are shown in the velocity field in Figure 1. Numerous air flow scenarios were evaluated.
     Next, temperature and moisture at each cell within the simulated carcass and in the surrounding air were computed at each time step in the cooling cycle. Examples are shown in Figures 3 and 4 for one time step and for one horizontal cut through the ribs of the hanging carcass. Thermal and moisture gradients in the meat are evident.
     The simulated temperatures at one point in the carcass throughout the cycle were compared to experimental data. Excellent time-dependent agreement was achieved as shown in Figure 2. Also, the predicted water loss agreed very well with measured weight loss.

Correlation Plot

Figure 2 - Simulated time history of warmest point in the carcass.

Figure 1 - Simulated air flow at one location in a carcass chiller.

Figure 3 - Simulated carcass temperature distribution in one plane and at one time step in the cooling cycle.

Figure 4 - Simulated carcass moisture distribution in one plane and at one time step in the cooling cycle.

Simulation of a Refrigerated Trailer
Numerical flow modeling methods can be applied to the transportation of fresh fruits and vegetables. In the simulated flow field below, the temperature and velocity distributions along the centerline plane of a refrigerated trailer and its cargo are shown. A model of this nature can be used to examine the effectiveness of various cold air distribution systems and stacking configurations within the trailer.
The same CFD technology can be used to study cooling performance in a warehouse or other static enclosure.
Simulated air flow in a three dimensional, refrigerated trailer with cargo. Velocity and temperature fields are shown along the centerline plane.