Mitigating temperature heterogeneity in cold storage: a numerical investigation using a cassette fan coil unit for air flow distribution

Abstract

Inadequate storage conditions for agricultural harvests can result in significant economic losses. Cold storage plays a crucial role in preserving horticultural produce, where proper airflow distribution is essential for maintaining freshness. Ceiling-mounted Fan Coil Units (CM-FCUs), commonly used in cold storages, may lead to uneven temperatures among crates. This study proposes evaluating the suitability of Cassette-type Fan Coil Units (CT-FCUs) in cold storages to enhance airflow and cooling rates. Cold storage with CM-FCUs was modeled, simulated, and validated using experimental data. A similar cold storage with CT-FCUs was also modeled and simulated, and various thermal performance parameters were compared. In the proposed system, the maximum area-weighted average velocity was observed to be 20.5% higher than in the conventional cold storage. Similarly, the Performance Index (PI) demonstrated a 41.1% improvement, while temperature heterogeneity was 41.3% lower compared to the CM-FCU, indicating superior thermal performance in the cold storage with CT-FCUs. These findings suggest that the proposed CT-FCUs outperformed the CM-FCUs in terms of thermal performance.