Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Computer Simulation Of Radio Frequency Heating Of Model Fruit Immersed In Water, Sohan Birla, Shaojin Wang, Juming Tang
Computer Simulation Of Radio Frequency Heating Of Model Fruit Immersed In Water, Sohan Birla, Shaojin Wang, Juming Tang
Department of Engineering Mechanics: Faculty Publications
The present study investigated the effect of different factors on temperature distribution within a spherical object in a parallel plate radio frequency (RF) heating system. A finite element-computer simulation program - FEMLAB was used to solve the electromagnetic and Navier-Stoke equations for developing a model to study the effect of dielectric properties of a model fruit and its surrounding medium. The model fruit was prepared from 1% gellan gel for experimental validation of the simulation results. The results showed that spherically-shaped samples surrounded with air between RF electrodes and placed in the proximity of electrodes would not heat uniformly. Immersing …
Characterization Of Radio Frequency Heating Of Fresh Fruits Influenced By Dielectric Properties, Sohan Birla, S. Wang, Juming Tang, G. Tiwari
Characterization Of Radio Frequency Heating Of Fresh Fruits Influenced By Dielectric Properties, Sohan Birla, S. Wang, Juming Tang, G. Tiwari
Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications
Because of its fast and volumetric nature, radio frequency (RF) heating has been looked upon as a way to overcome the problems associated with conventional heating methods used for disinfestation of fruits. But non-uniform heating within fruits is a major obstacle in adaptation of this technology. In this study, RF heating patterns influenced by dielectric properties (DPs) of fruits were investigated both experimentally and mathematically. A computer simulation model was developed using FEMLAB 3.4, a commercial software for solving Maxwell’s electromagnetic and Fourier’s heat transfer equations. Orange, apple, grapefruit, peach, and avocado fruits, selected for these studies were subjected to …