Potential use of phase change materials in a display cabinet: development of a dynamic modelling approach.

The potential use of PCM as thermal energy storage device in a refrigerated display cabinet is considered in the present study. Different configurations (position of the PCM in the equipment) are simulated and discussed: after the evaporator and under shelf. At first, the modelling of a display cabinet in a transient state is developed based on a simplified heat transfer model using zonal approach. By combining it with a melting and freezing process of PCM units located inside the display cabinet, the effects of the PCM addition on air and food temperatures are simulated. Placing the PCM under shelves allows maintaining the product temperature during defrosting or electricity shortage. The other configuration, PCM after the evaporator, impacts the supply air temperature and produces then a global cooling effect on the display cabinet when the compressor is off. The developed model can be used for the design of an energy storage device using PCM.