Investigation of Refrigerator Heat and Mass Transfer Cabinet Loading During Open Door Conditions
The purpose of this research is to assess heat and moisture transport into a domestic refrigerator cabinet during open door conditions, as well as determine sensible and latent refrigerator cabinet loading caused by objects removed and replaced into a refrigerator cabinet. The goal is to know how much water and energy are transported into a refrigerator by these mechanisms. In general, the air inside a refrigerator generally has lower water vapor pressure than the outside surroundings. When the door is opened, water vapor enters the cabinet; this water eventually ends up on the evaporator in the form of frost. In addition to the energy load caused by moisture condensation, removal of the frost requires energy. The analytical and experimental study of heat/mass transfer in an open cavity is of interest not only in refrigerator cabinets, but also in other areas such as solar receivers, buildings, and electrical components.
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign