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A Mathematical model for the cold storage of agricultural products

Modelo matemático de câmara fria para armazenamento de produtos agrícolas

Studies of control strategies for refrigeration systems observe, among other variables, the dynamic behavior of temperature and the consumption of electrical energy. Aiming to contribute to these studies, this work presents the proposal and validation of a mathematical model for the cooling system of a cold-storage unit. The model approximates the dynamics and interdependence of the variables, to first-order systems with time delay and the summation of effects. The input variables available are the frequency of compressor activation and the thermal load imposed on the unit, and as output variables, the air temperature both at the evaporator inlet and at the centre of the chamber, as well as the electrical power consumed by the compressor. The results obtained were satisfactory, with an error of less than 0.11 ºC for the air temperature at the evaporator inlet, of less than 0.09 ºC for the temperature at the centre of the chamber, and of less than 1% for the electrical energy consumed.

Variable rotation; Simulation; Agricultural products-storage; Electrical energy-consumption


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