Study on Charging Characteristics of Phase Change Cold Storage Balls in Refrigerated Containers Based on Simplified 2D Axisymmetric Heat Transfer Model

Yuhang Liu, Chunlong Zhuang (), Hongyu Zhang, Guangqin Huang, Boheng Fu, Fei Gan, Ziming Liao and Xinyi Zhang
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Yuhang Liu: Joint Logistics Support Force Engineering University, Chongqing 401331, China
Chunlong Zhuang: Joint Logistics Support Force Engineering University, Chongqing 401331, China
Hongyu Zhang: Joint Logistics Support Force Engineering University, Chongqing 401331, China
Guangqin Huang: Joint Logistics Support Force Engineering University, Chongqing 401331, China
Boheng Fu: Chongqing Audit Center, Chongqing 400060, China
Fei Gan: Joint Logistics Support Force Engineering University, Chongqing 401331, China
Ziming Liao: Joint Logistics Support Force Engineering University, Chongqing 401331, China
Xinyi Zhang: Joint Logistics Support Force Engineering University, Chongqing 401331, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-17

Abstract: To address the reliability requirements for refrigerated container transport in the cold chain, this study established an experimental platform for phase change cold storage balls. A two-dimensional axisymmetric simplified heat transfer model of the three-dimensional cold storage ball was developed. The reliability of the model was verified through charging experiments. While ensuring a certain level of accuracy (average error less than 10%), the model significantly improved computational efficiency (completing calculations in only 49 s), offering a practical reference value. Based on the established 2D axisymmetric simplified heat transfer model, this study focused on the influence of secondary coolant (ethylene glycol solution) parameters on the charging performance. The results indicate that a smaller diameter of the cold storage ball and a higher flow rate lead to a higher freezing rate of the ball. Under the conditions set in this study, the optimal diameters were determined to be 80 mm and 60 mm, and the optimal inlet flow rate was 3.917 m 3 /h. This simplified model can provide a reference for the optimal design of phase change cold storage systems in refrigerated containers.

Keywords: phase change cold storage ball; refrigerated container; simplified 2D axisymmetric heat transfer model; numerical simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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