Temperature prediction in domestic refrigerators: Deterministic and stochastic approaches

A simplified steady state heat transfer model was developed for a domestic refrigerator (without a fan). This model considers circular airflow, heat exchange by natural convection between the air and the cold/warm walls and between the air and the load. Radiation between cold/warm walls and load is also taken into account. The model considers the temperature variation related to the height of the refrigerator (top, bottom) and the position (near the cold wall, near the warm wall). Two random parameters were considered: the room and thermostat temperatures. These values were then introduced into the model enabling the calculation of the load and air temperatures. Analysis of the predicted temperatures was undertaken using comparison with survey data; good agreement was obtained for the mean value and the standard deviation. This model could prove to be useful in the development of a risk evaluation tool.

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