# Numerical Study for Efficient Cooling of Perishable Food Products During Storage: The Case of Tomatoes

## TL;DR

This study uses simulations to explore how different venting designs affect cooling efficiency in tomato storage packages.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in systematically comparing venting configurations and boundary conditions to optimize airflow and temperature uniformity.

## Key findings

- Venting configurations significantly influence airflow and temperature distribution within packages.
- Two-vent systems showed better cooling performance compared to single-vent designs.
- Open-top systems allowed for more uniform temperature distribution than closed-top systems.

## Abstract

Unveiling temperature patterns within agricultural products remains the most important indicator for their quality assessment during post-harvest treatments. Temperature control and monitoring within vented packages is essential for preserving the quality of perishable goods, such as tomato fruits, by preventing localized temperature maxima that can accelerate spoilage. This study proposes a modeling and simulation approach to systematically investigate how ventilation design choices influence internal airflow distribution and the resulting cooling performance. Our analysis compares three distinct venting configurations (single top vent, single middle vent, and two vents) across two package boundary conditions: an open-top system allowing for dual air exits through the open top boundary and the outlet vent(s), respectively, and a closed-top system with a single exit pathway through the outlet vent(s). All scenarios are simulated to assess airflow patterns, velocity magnitudes, and temperature uniformity within different package designs.