The optimization and effect of back panel structure on the performance of refrigerated display cabinet

In this paper, the effect of the back panel structure on the performance of fluid flow and heat transfer of vertical open refrigerated display cabinets (VORDC) is presented by experiments and numerical simulation. Experimental tests are performed to validate the accuracy of numerical predictions. The characteristics of heat transfer and fluid flow of VORDC are investigated at the different locations of the perforations of back panel at the same porosity and the different flow ratios between back panel and air curtain at different porosities. By comparing numerical results with experimental results, the predictive abilities of the computational model have been revealed. Further computational results have also shown that less than 3% porosities can provide a better performance in the VORDC; the location of perforations has a minor influence on the temperature distribution of products. Furthermore, the suitable porosities in the back panel among the shelves are more likely to improve the uniformity of products temperature in the VORDC. As a result, the overall uniformity of product temperature inside the refrigerated display cabinet and the maximum deviation values of product temperature have been improve to 41% and 49%, respectively. The present study can provide the theoretical guide for the design of the narrow VORDC.