Numerical parametric study of the influence of fruit packaging boxes arrangement on fluid flow and heat transfer

Temperature is the parameter that most affects the rate of deterioration of horticultural products and their postharvest life. Therefore, fast removal of heat from the field after harvesting by cooling and maintaining the ideal temperature of the product is of utmost relevance in supply logistics. A transient three-dimensional CFD model of a cold chamber with packaging boxes filled with fruits is presented to predict the transient airflow and heat transfer by convection and conduction inside the fruits. The parametric study considers the development of CFD models with different arrangements to increase the lateral and vertical stacking for the analysis of the airflow and the heat transfer during the cooling period. The analysis of the numerical predictions allows the evaluation of the time and/or discharge air temperature and velocity required for all fruits inside the packaging boxes to reach the conservation temperature that ensures the quality and safety of fruits before entering the distribution chain.