Simulation and verification of ohmic heating in static heater using MRI temperature mapping

Mathematical modeling of ohmic heating of liquid-particulate mixtures allows insight into the heating behavior, but model verification that uses only a selected number of points in an ohmic heating system is inadequate because of the unknown temperature distribution within the heated food materials, including the locations of hot and cold spots. In this study, ohmic heating of liquid-particulate mixtures was simulated using the finite-element analysis with the commercial software FEMLAB, and the model predictions were verified against temperature maps obtained using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A factor ignored by the previous modeling works, the electricity-to-heat conversion efficiency, was considered in the model, resulting in an improved model performance. The electrical conductivity and its temperature dependence for all the materials used in the simulation were determined under consistent electric field strength as the simulated ohmic heating processes. Other factors/parameters affecting model prediction, such as the boundary conditions and heat transfer coefficients, were also determined in situ for an accurate parametric input. The model predictions yielded good agreement with the MRI temperature maps. Results showed that the electrical conductivity of the materials is the most critical factor causing heating rate variations between the particulate phase and the liquid phase. The heating rate variations could be overcome by adjusting the electrical conductivity of the food materials before ohmic heating. This modeling procedure can be used for designing and controlling ohmic heating processes to ensure thermal sterilization and safety of ohmically heated food products.     

冻肉通电加热解冻的研究

对冻肉通电加热解冻的方法进行了试验研究，给出了通电加热解冻的机理。测定了一些参数，如电导率、导热性和热扩散系数等。另外，通过对冻肉不同部位的温度测量，得出了温度场在解冻时的分布规律，并对能量利用率进行了简要的描述。     

A microwave and ohmic combination heater for uniform heating of liquid-particle food mixtures

Microwave and ohmic combination heating was proposed to improve the uniformity of thermal processing of particulate foods. Thermal patterns of a liquid-particle mixture in a small test cell were studied using both experimental and simulation approaches. Carrot cubes (10 mm × 10 mm × 10 mm) and 0.1% NaCl salt solution were used as model foods. The temperature distribution of solid and liquid phases was examined using individual and combination heating methods. Under ohmic heating, the liquid was heated faster by 18.9 °C after 250 s. The heating rate of a carrot cube was faster than liquid under microwave heating and temperature rise of carrot was approximately 11.2 °C higher than that of solution after heating of 70 s. Samples experienced different heating patterns over time during the combination heating. Carrot samples showed a thermal lead initially when heated under microwave and the trend reversed during the second stage when ohmic heating was applied. Liquid-particle temperature difference was reduced as the combination heating proceeded, and came to be less than 2 °C at the end. Results obtained from simulation showed similar patterns and all prediction data agreed well with the experimental data. The prediction errors for sample temperatures ranged from 5.7% to 11.6%. The results provided better understanding for designing a continuous flow combination heater that can produce uniform temperature of solid-liquid mixtures. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: If successful, this combination heating technique will find its way to effective aseptic or sterile processing of low acid multiphase foods containing large particulates (such as soups with meatballs or vegetables) that has not been a commercial reality in the United States.     

Exploring the heating patterns of multiphase foods in a continuous flow,simultaneous microwave and ohmic combination heater

A continuous flow, simultaneous microwave and ohmic combination heater was designed and fabricated to heat treat particulate foods without leaving solids under-processed. Heating uniformity of the combination heater was examined by numerically analyzing the electric field distribution under microwave and ohmic heating. In addition, to minimize the reflection of microwave power, impedance matching of the microwave cavity was conducted with a vector network analyzer. Performance of the heater was studied using food mixtures containing sodium chloride solutions (0.2–0.5%) and carrot particulates. Heating patterns of liquid–particle mixtures were investigated and compared under individual and combination heating modes. Energy efficiencies were also determined for corresponding heating methods. The results showed that maximum solid–liquid temperature differences under microwave and ohmic heating were about 8.1 and 8.0 °C, respectively. However when microwave and ohmic heating techniques were applied simultaneously, there was no significant temperature difference between solid and liquid phases. Energy efficiency of combination heating was higher than microwave heating and a maximum increase in energy conversion of 12.8% was obtained. The findings opened new and very promising opportunities to thermally process particulate foods with improved uniformity, organoleptic, and nutritional quality in addition to reduced food safety problems.     

Mathematical modeling and microbiological verification of ohmic heating of a solid–liquid mixture in a continuous flow ohmic heater system with electric field perpendicular to flow

To ensure sterility of a solid–liquid mixture processed in continuous-flow ohmic systems, the slowest-heating solid particle needs to receive sufficient heat treatment at the outlet of the holding section. We describe herein, the development of a mathematical model for solid–liquid mixtures in a commercial ohmic heater with electric field oriented perpendicular to the flow. The fastest moving particle velocity was identified using over 299 particles and a radio-frequency identification technique, and used as an input to the model for the worst-case heating scenario. Thermal verification was conducted by comparing predicted and measured fluid temperatures at heater and hold tube outlets; the model showed good agreement between calculated and experimental fluid temperatures (P > 0.05) with a maximum error of 0.4 °C. The model predicted a hold tube length of 15.85 m at 134.0 °C process temperature to achieve a target lethal effect at the cold spot of the slowest-heating particle. Using this length of hold tube, microbiological tests were conducted using at least 299 chicken/alginate particles inoculated with Clostridium sporogenes spores per run. These tests showed the absence of viable microorganisms at the target treatment and positive growth when temperatures were below target, thereby verifying model predictions.     

Utilization of microbes to process and preserve meat

This paper discusses how, and to what extent, the addition of microorganisms to meats helps to meet the needs of consumers and industry. Lactic acid bacteria adapted to meats improve the safety of fermented sausages by means of acid formation. Using selected strains, the safety of certain non-fermented, perishable meat products may be improved without affecting their shelf life. Certain bacteriocin-forming cultures may reduce the levels of Listeria monocytogenes in some meat products significantly, but their effect on the overall safety of meats is limited by the resistance of Gram-negative bacteria. Data on the effect of microorganisms on the sensory properties of fermented meats are summarized. For bacteria to have a probiotic effect, they need to attain high numbers during fermentation and/or storage of meats. Genetic engineering of cultures may improve certain properties of the strains but benefits to consumers and industry are too small to make them acceptable by consumers and regulatory bodies in the near future.     

Mathematical modelling of vacuum ohmic evaporation process

Ohmic evaporation is a complex process in which heat and mass transfers take in place simultaneously. In this study, finite difference-FD and finite volume-FV models simulating the changes of temperature and water removed from tomato juice during the vacuum ohmic evaporation process (VOEP) were developed. Models considering the heat and mass transfer equations were combined. Experimental effective electrical conductivity and specific heat capacity relations were taken into account. For heating period, final temperature was predicted with errors of 3.4 ± 1.3 °C and 0.7 ± 1.3 °C, while the evaporation time prediction errors were 1.3 ± 1.6 min and − 2.1 ± 1.6 min for FV and FD models, respectively. It was concluded the effect of mixing was not important on temperature distribution for such a high consistency tomato paste compared to the heat generation effect during the ohmic evaporation process. The developed models could be used to predict process time, temperature history, and volume fraction at any time during the ohmic evaporation process.     

Exergetic performance analysis of ohmic cooking process

This paper deals with the performance evaluation of ohmic cooking process by applying exergy analysis. Cylindrically shaped ground beef samples with different fat contents (2%, 9% and 15%) were used as the test material being cooked. The cooking process was conducted at three different voltage gradients (20, 30 or 40 V/cm) up to 80 °C. The effects of voltage gradient applied and the initial fat content of sample on the energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, exergy loss and improvement potential were investigated. The energy and exergy efficiency values for ohmic cooking process at the voltage gradients between 20 and 40 V/cm were found to be in the range of 0.69–0.91% and 63.2–89.2%, respectively. It was determined that the system should have been improved energetically especially for samples having high initial fat contents cooked at the low voltage gradients, since improvement potential values predicted were highest at this conditions.     

Effect of ohmic treatment on quality characteristic of meat: A review

Ohmic cooking, a well-known electro-heating technique, provides an alternative method for cooking meat products due to its ability for rapid heat generation. Ohmic heating uses the resistance of meat products to convert the electric energy into heat. The rate of heat generation depends on the voltage gradient applied and the electrical conductivity of the meat product. The advantages of ohmic cooking over conventional heating include shorter processing times, higher yields, and less power consumption while still maintaining the colour and nutritional value of meat products. In recent years, ohmic cooking has increasingly drawn interest from the meat industry as a method to ensure the quality and the safety of meat products. The present paper reviews the effects of ohmic cooking on the physical, chemical, sensory, and microbiological quality characteristics and toxicological properties of meat and meat products.     

A green process to prepare chromic oxide green pigment

A hydrogen reduction and activated sintering process was proposed to prepare chromic oxide green pigment. Through ICP, XRD, SEM, FT-IR, UV, and CIE-L*a*b* colorimetric analysis, key factors and mechanism that influenced preparation of chromic oxide green pigment were studied. The results revealed that lower hydrogen reduction temperature, suitable addition of Al and Ba, were beneficial to obtaining the high quality chromic oxide green pigment. Typically, when the hydrogen reduction temperature was kept at 450-500 degrees C, physicochemical properties and color performance of the prepared chromic oxide green pigment doped with about 0.1-0.2 wt % Al and 0.2-0.5 wt % Ba conformed to commercial pigment standards. Additionally, characteristics of the green process were discussed. About 90 wt % KOH was reused directly and about 90 wt % Cr(VI) was conversed to Cr(III) directly from potassium chromate to chromic oxide green pigment. Integrating the proprietary green metallurgical process from chromite ore to potassium chromate of this laboratory, more than 99 wt % Cr(VI) could be conversed to Cr(III) compounds and about 99 wt % KOH could be recycled to use. The whole green process, ranging from chromite ore to chromic oxide green pigment, eventually not only provided the possibility for producing the high quality chromic oxide green pigment, but could reach comprehensive utilization of resources, inner recycle of KOH, and zero emission of Cr(VI).     

Effect of ohmic heating on texture,microbial load,and cadmium and lead content of Chilean blue mussel (Mytilus chilensis)

The effect of ohmic heating (OH) on the texture, microbial load, and cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) content was evaluated in Chilean blue mussel (Mytilus chilensis) at shucking and subsequent canning. Mussel samples were processed by OH and blanching (BLAN) at 50 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 1 °C and 90 ± 1 °C for shucking and then canning at 115 °C for 20 min. The Cd and Pb content in fresh mussels was 2.47 ± 0.18 μg g^− 1 and 5.26 ± 0.55 μg g^− 1 dry weight (dw). The greatest reduction in Cd content was reached at 90 ± 1 °C by OH with 1.67 ± 0.06 μg g^− 1 (dw) and 1.69 ± 0.08 μg g^− 1 (dw) by BLAN. At the same temperature, the Pb content was reduced to 4.18 ± 0.24 μg g^− 1 dw for OH and 4.14 ± 0.30 μg g^− 1 dw for BLAN. The cutting strength of fresh samples (21.35 ± 2.44 N) significantly decreased in samples processed by OH (15.65 ± 1.36 N) at 90 ± 1 °C compared with BLAN samples (20.41 ± 3.16 N) at the same temperature. The initial mean count for mesophilic aerobic microorganisms and Enterobacteriaceae was 3.8 log cfu/g and 2.5 log cfu/g, respectively. The mesophilic aerobic microorganism count was reduced by 1.7 logarithmical units, while Enterobacteriaceae counts were reduced to undetectable levels by OH at 90 ± 1 °C.Industrial relevanceHigh temperature short time (HTST) processes rely on rapid convection heat transfer and are thus well suited to liquid foods. But, they are, however, limited in application to particulates since, for particles more than a couple of millimeters thick, the processing time is insufficient for heat to transfer to the center to give sterility. Ohmic heating is an emerging technology and very promising in food industries. It is a thermal process in which heat is generated internally in food and acts as a resistance to the flow of alternating electric current. This type of treatment prevents overheating by producing less deterioration in food components. It is a rapid procedure that allows food to conserve its natural properties; microorganisms and enzymes are also inactivated. The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the effect of Ohmic heating on mechanical properties, microbial load, Cd and Pb content in the opening and subsequent canning of Chilean blue mussel (Mytilus chilensis). This information could be used for the seafood industries in order to improve thermal heating processes in mussels.     

欧姆加热过程对猪肉氧化和体外消化率动态变化的研究

本文研究了欧姆加热与水浴加热肉块到一定的终点温度（20¹00℃）时,脂肪和蛋白质氧化、蛋白质表面疏水活性和聚合度、胃蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶和α-凝乳蛋白酶体外消化率的动态变化。结果显示:随着肉块终点温度的升高,蛋白质羰基呈现先下降后上升的趋势,而胰、α-凝乳蛋白酶体外消化率呈现一定的下降趋势。当肉块温度为40℃时,欧姆加热组的蛋白质表面疏水活性显著低于（p<0.05）水浴加热处理组。当肉块温度为20℃时,欧姆加热组的胰、α-凝乳蛋白酶消化率显著高于水溶加热处理组（p<0.05）。当肉块温度为60℃时,欧姆加热组的羰基值和胃蛋白酶体外消化率显著低于（p<0.05）水浴加热处理组,而胰、α-凝乳蛋白酶体外消化率显著高于（p<0.05）水浴加热处理组。当肉块温度为80℃时,欧姆加热组的硫代巴比妥酸值显著低于（p<0.05）水浴加热处理组。其余各指标各处理组无显著差异（p>0.05）。蛋白质聚合度、蛋白质疏水活度与胃蛋白酶体外消化率呈现显著负相关关系（p<0.05）,因此欧姆加热肉品节约了总加热时间的1/2⁵/6,氧化、体外消化率各指标与水浴加热处理组整体上无明显区别。      

蚌肉肽—锌螯合物制备工艺及其保肝作用研究

以蚌肉为原料,采用优化酶解工艺制备蚌肉肽。以螯合率为指标,对蚌肉肽的富锌工艺进行优化并评价其溶液保肝作用。结果显示,蚌肉肽—锌的最佳螯合工艺参数为螯合温度70℃,螯合pH 8.0,蚌肉肽与锌溶液质量浓度比21 (g/mL),螯合反应1.5h。该工艺条件下螯合率为58.55%;制备的富锌蚌肉肽保肝作用显著,当灌胃剂量为400mg/kg·BW时,SOD与GSH-Px的活性分别为(142.78±7.73),(258.16±8.52)IU/L。     

On-line local thermal pulse analysis sensor to monitor fouling and cleaning: Application to dairy product pasteurisation with an ohmic cell jet heater

In the process industry, fouling is considered as a complex (sometimes partially known and identified) phenomenon. In this paper, a fouling sensor (FS) based on local differential thermal analysis is scrutinized and we report the comparison of two operating modes, steady (STR) and periodic (PTR) thermal regimes. Moreover, the development of alternating technologies like direct Joule effect (ohmic) heating to pasteurise and sterilise liquid food products in a continuous process is of great scientific and industrial interest. Heat treatment by direct Joule effect exhibits numerous advantages because rapid heating kinetics or homogeneous heat treatment is required. However, fouling of electrode surfaces in this kind of apparatus is much more problematic than in conventional heat exchangers. In the present study, a new continuous ohmic heating apparatus (Emmepiemme®, Piacenza, Italy) in which an alternating electrical current is applied directly to a jet falling between two stainless steel electrodes is investigated during pasteurisation of a dairy product. Conventional fouling measurements (pressure drop, heat transfer or electrical parameters) cannot be used in such a heater. Fouling and cleaning phases are monitored with fouling sensor and fouling quantified.     

Evaluation of nonpathogenic surrogate bacteria as process validation indicators for Salmonella enterica for selected antimicrobial treatments, cold storage, and fermentation in meat

Prerigor lean and adipose beef carcass tissues were artificially inoculated individually with stationary-phase cultures of five nonpathogenic Escherichia coli cultures that had been previously identified as surrogates for E. coli O157:H7 or a mixture of five Salmonella strains in a fecal inoculum. Each tissue sample was processed with microbial interventions comparable with those used in the meat industry. The log reductions of the E. coli isolates were generally not statistically different from the salmonellae inoculum within a specific treatment. Inoculation experiments were also conducted with ground beef stored at either 4 or -20 degrees C. When compared with the Salmonella inoculum, at least three of the five E. coli strains survived in a manner that was not statistically different from the salmonellae. The E. coli strains and the Salmonella mixed culture were also inoculated into summer sausage batter, and the population enumerated both before and after fermentation. Four of the E. coli strains showed a lower population reduction (higher survival) than the Salmonella mixed culture. The five nonpathogenic E. coli strains may be used as individually or collectively for specific process validation indicators for Salmonella.     

实用肉制品加工技术要点

在一些肉制品加工企业，由于工作不规范，生产中经常出现一系列的产品质量问题，事后却找不出问题的症结在那里。本文就肉制品各工序操作规范和一些常见问题与大家共同探讨，以便使生产标准化，操作规范化，保证产品质量的稳定性。