Temperature difference in chamber (test question)

[Copplemeister]

Hi all.

I am working on assignment and ive had a question like this -

"You have been sent to a local Health Authority, whose drugs storage cabinet is not performing to specification. You have monitored the temperature across the chambers and the variance is between +4 degrees at the top to -3 degrees at the bottom.

Write a memo to your manager stating your findings and reccommending an appropriate solution to rectify the fault"
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Ok guys, heres my questions:
What is potentially causing this temp variation as mentioned above, in the storage cabinet?
As appropriate, then, how can this be rectified?

Im thinking it something probmlematic with the evap fans or there is stock in the way of the unit. Please could you throw some lengthy answers into this!

Thank you
Best regards
Copple

[Magoo]

Copple,
definitly a trick question. Limited information given so requires multi-options reply, and some lateral thinking required. ( That is what they want to here, thinking outside the circle, the obvious ).
1/ is it a dual temp cabinet with static coil in cooler section. Answer possible insulation between freezer and cooler faulty so freezing product in lower section of chiller area.
2/ is it a single cabinet with forced air from top to bottom through a plenum, them probable product restriction freezing bottom area.
options are endless, look observe, think , and then report possible problem.
magoo

[amitsaxena]

I feel following possibility :

1. Evap. is of static type that too its bottom freezer, hence bottom is -3 and Top is +4 ,
2. There is a problem of air flow means its completely blocking the return air path, means all the cooling is getting stored in Bottom
3. Fan of the evap. got stuck hence cooling but not uniform.
4. Excess ice formation on the evap. leading towards no air circulation across the eva, hence bottom side excess cooled, top side warm.

Thanks
amit

[Copplemeister]

Thanks guys, great responses. I will consider your points very closely when answering the question.

Best regards
Copple

[Brian_UK]

Write a memo to your manager stating your findings and reccommending an appropriate solution to rectify the fault.

The answer that will get you the least brownie points is:-

"The temperatures are uneven although the product storage method is correct. There could be an airflow problem, which I favour, but I would suggest that we call a reputable refrigeration engineer quickly before we lose any of the product."

[Copplemeister]

The answer that will get you the least brownie points is:-

"The temperatures are uneven although the product storage method is correct. There could be an airflow problem, which I favour, but I would suggest that we call a reputable refrigeration engineer quickly before we lose any of the product."

This worked well, thank you.