Desenvolvimento de software para cálculo de carga térmica aplicado ao dimensionamento de câmara fria para uso de pequenas agroindústrias

Abstract

The incorrect sizing of cold rooms in small agro-industries results in food loss and energy inefficiency. The objective of this study was the development of a didactic computational tool to assist in thermal load calculation, focusing on the reality of these producers. The methodology involved a literature review on refrigeration, mathematical modeling of heat sources, and the implementation of a functional prototype in Microsoft Excel® with a graphical interface in VBA. The tool automates the calculation of the total thermal load, considering heat gains from transmission, infiltration, product, lighting, and occupancy. The prototype, validated against technical manuals and applied, proved to be an accurate and accessible tool. The result is a low-cost solution that translates complex engineering calculations into an intuitive platform, aiming to democratize access to technology, reduce losses in family farming, and serve as a teaching tool in the field of Food Engineering.