Numerical Modeling of Fin Heat Exchanger in Application to Cold Storage

The fin-and-tube heat exchanger are extensively used in refrigeration systems applied to cold storage. The performance of the heat exchanger affects the efficiency of the refrigeration system. Prediction of temperature, humidity, as well as velocity distribution in a cold storage chamber requires accurate prediction of operation of the finned air cooler. The operation of the air cooler unit is usually taken into account in modeling of operation of the cold storage chambers, but with very simplified geometry and physics. On the other hand numerical investigations of the heat exchangers are focused on thermal performance mostly in order to improve the overall heat transfer coefficient or to optimize its geometry. Results of numerical modeling using the computational fluid dynamics software ANSYS FLUENT of fin-and-tube air cooler applied on a cold storage chamber is presented in the paper. Two different approaches were used: the dual cell model, and porous media conditions. Numerical predictions of air temperature as well as air velocity at the air cooler outlet were also validated on the basis of the own experimental data.