Advances in mathematical modelling of postharvest refrigeration processes

 

 

 

MA Delele,* P Verboven, QT Ho and BM Nicolaï

BIOSYST-MeBioS Division, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Willem de Croylaan, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium

 

 

 

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review summarises advances in the application of mathematical models for predicting and optimising fluid flow, heat and mass transfer and associated phenomena during postharvest refrigeration of horticultural products.

Findings: There has been an interest in the use of mathematical models for optimising postharvest refrigeration systems operation and design. These mathematical models are applied to predict the physical and chemical phenomena that take place during postharvest handling of horticultural products. Nowadays, with the availability of more powerful computers at a reasonable price, it is feasible to investigate the details of the flow behaviour in large-scale refrigeration systems at a very small spatial and temporal scale.

Directions for future research: In most of the recent models, the stored product along with the container was assumed as a porous medium. With this assumption, it is not possible to predict the detailed flow behaviour through the container and around each product in the container. To date the turbulence dynamics in the stack has not been properly investigated. In order to improve the accuracy of the models, models that include the detailed geometry of the stacked product and the container, and the use of better turbulence models will be very important. To better understand the phenomena at all levels of the refrigeration process, a multiscale modelling approach is required.

 

Keywords: horticultural product; refrigeration; mathematical model; CFD; storage; fruit

 

Stewart Postharvest Review 2010, 2:1

Published online 01 June 2010

doi: 10.2212/spr.2010.2.1