A novel simulation model for studying airflow pattern and impacts and impacts during postharvest operations
Q. Zou, L.U. Opara , R. McKibbin and Y.Lu
Proceedings of 26th International Horticultural Congress. Volume of Abstract . Toronto, Canada, 11-17 August, 2002. Abstract S09-P-5. pp. 229-230.
2002
บทคัดย่อ
Air distribution inside potharvest-built environments such as packaging and cool-stores is an important factor affecting cool-chain management since air motion inside the structure affects the heat transfer between product and the cooling medium (moist air).Literature evidence shows that airflow characteristics affect the magnitude of weight loss and quality degradation in stored fresh fruit.Accurate prediction of airflow patterns and heat transfer is therefore vital toward the optimal design and management of postharvest faclilities.In comparison to extensive laboratory testing,computational fluid dynamics (CFD) provides a novel and sophisticated but economic tool for modelling and visualising airflow and other thermodynamic processes inside built environments.This paper outlines the development of CFD models for simulating the airflow patterns and temperature profiles inside single stacked and hulk ventilated fruit containers.The airflow and heat transfer models (programmed in MATLAB) were integrated into a user-friendly simulation software by dynamically linking the computer programmes to data files written in C language.Comparisons of model predictions against experimental results for apples undergoing pre-cooling inside a standard carton gave good agreement based on product cooling rates.Simulation results also revealed the existence of microenvironments inside ventilated packages for fresh fruit, but the impacts of these variations on product storage stability are not known.Potential applications of the new software in postharvest horticulture education, extension and research will be discussed.