Numerical simulation of simultaneous heat and moisture transfer in a domestic refrigerator

This study was carried out in order to gain a better insight into evaporation and condensation phenomena due to natural convection in a domestic refrigerator without a fan. A model refrigerator loaded with moist cylinders was studied initially. CFD simulations took into account air flow, heat transfer (convection, conduction and radiation) and mass transfer (water evaporation and condensation). The numerical results were compared with the experimental values. The position where evaporation and condensation occur was generally well predicted in spite of the fact that simulation underestimates the experimental values. The numerical methodology developed was then applied to a real refrigerator loaded with unpackaged products (susceptible to dehydration). The same phenomena as those in the model refrigerator were observed: condensation on the product located near to the evaporator, dehydration of the products located near the door and at the top.