A simple method for prediction of chilling times: extension to three-dimensional irregular shapes

The extension of a previously published empirical chilling time prediction method to three-dimensional irregular shapes was investigated. The real geometric shapes were related to equivalent ellipsoids using simple geometric measurements. Chilling time estimates were made using two shape-dependent parameters in conjunction with the first term in the series-analytical solution for convective cooling of a sphere. Experiments for eight geometric shapes (21 runs) were used to validate the model for thermal centre temperature predictions. The accuracy of the model for predicting mass-average temperatures of irregular shapes was not tested. Accurate chilling time prediction by a method employing only simple algebraic expressions is now possible for objects of any shape.