Computer simulation for improving radio frequency (RF) heating uniformity of food products: A review

Radio frequency (RF) heating has great potential for achieving rapid and volumetric heating in foods, providing safe and high-quality food products due to deep penetration depth, moisture self-balance effects, and leaving no chemical residues. However, the nonuniform heating problem (usually resulting in hot and cold spots in the heated product) needs to be resolved. The inhomogeneous temperature distribution not only affects the quality of the food but also raises the issue of food safety when the microorganisms or insects may not be controlled in the cold spots. The mathematical modeling for RF heating processes has been extensively studied in a wide variety of agricultural products recently. This paper presents a comprehensive review of recent progresses in computer simulation for RF heating uniformity improvement and the offered solutions to reduce the heating nonuniformity. It provides a brief introduction on the basic principle of RF heating technology, analyzes the applications of numerical simulation, and discusses the factors influencing the RF heating uniformity and the possible methods to improve heating uniformity. Mathematical modeling improves the understanding of RF heating of food and is essential to optimize the RF treatment protocol for pasteurization and disinfestation applications. Recommendations for future research have been proposed to further improve the accuracy of numerical models, by covering both heat and mass transfers in the model, validating these models with sample movement and mixing, and identifying the important model parameters by sensitivity analysis.     

Multi-criteria decision making techniques for compliant polishing tool selection

The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology - Precision devices require surface finish of a few nanometers. The choice of compliant coated abrasive tools used in manufacturing...     

Experimental Investigations on Dielectric Fluids Behavior in High‐Power Transformers

The dielectric breakdown voltage of MgMnNi/transformer oil‐based nanofluids was systematically investigated under the influences of an electric field. The experimental behavior appears to come to a maximal end value of the breakdown voltage at around 72 kV. The prepared dielectric fluid has been investigated for use as high‐voltage insulation. The dielectric strengths of these nanofluids increase possibly due to enhanced electric field dissipation due to the presence of magnetite nanoparticles in fluids. The zeta potential value was found to be ?18.8 mV, which shows that the nanoparticles are highly stable even at a pH 10. The thermophysical properties were performed using KD2 Pro method, and for viscosity measurements, DV‐E viscometer was used.     

Experimental investigation of transverse vibration-assisted orthogonal cutting of AL-2024

In the conventional use of vibration-assisted machining the vibratory motion is applied to the tool either linearly along the direction of the cutting velocity or elliptically in the plane containing the cutting velocity and surface normal. In contrast to this, this study investigates vibrations that are applied along the cutting edge and perpendicular to the cutting velocity. Such a vibratory motion is expected to provide a small sawing action that will enhance the ductile fracture occurring ahead of the cutting tool as the chip separates from the bulk work material. This enhancement in fracture will then contribute to reducing the chip thickness and cutting forces. Also, the sawing action reduces the imprint left behind by the cutting tool leading to a better surface finish. To confirm these predictions orthogonal cutting with the assistance of transverse vibrations applied to the cutting tool are performed on Al-2024 tubes using a carbide cutting tool. Experiments are performed at different conditions of cutting speeds, feeds and amplitudes of vibration at a fixed vibration frequency of 40 kHz. Cutting forces, chip thickness, and surface finishes are measured and compared with similar cutting conditions without application of vibration. In general, a reduction in cutting forces and feed forces is observed when transverse vibrations are applied. Chip thickness is also reduced and surface finish is improved upon application of vibration. Some explanations are offered to support these results.     

Soluble fiber and soybean protein reduce atherosclerotic lesions in guinea pigs. Sex and hormonal status determine lesion extension

These studies were undertaken to assess guinea pigs as potential models for early atherosclerosis development. For that purpose, male, female, and ovariectomized (to mimic menopause) guinea pigs were fed a control or a TEST diet for 12 wk. Differences between diets were the type of protein (60% casein/40% soybean vs. 100% soybean) and the type of fiber (12.5% cellulose vs. 2.5% cellulose/5% pectin/5% psyllium) for control and TEST diets, respectively. Diet had no effect on plasma cholesterol or triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations; however, there were significant effects related to sex/hormonal status. Ovariectomized guinea pigs had higher plasma cholesterol and TAG concentrations than males or females (P<0.01). In contrast to effects on plasma lipids, hepatic cholesterol and TAG were 50% lower in the TEST groups (P<0.01) compared to controls. Low density lipoproteins (LDL) from guinea pigs fed the TEST diet had a lower number of cholesteryl ester (CE) molecules and a smaller diameter than LDL from controls. Atherosclerotic lesions were modulated by both diet (P<0.0001) and sex (P<0.0001). Guinea pigs fed the TEST diet had 25% less lesion extension whereas males had 20% larger occlusion of the arteries compared to both female and ovariectomized guinea pigs. Significant positive correlations were found between LDL CE and atherosclerotic lesions (r=0.495, P<0.05) and LDL size and fatty streak area (r=0.56, P<0.01). In addition, females fed the TEST diet had the lowest plasma and hepatic cholesterol concentrations, the smallest LDL particles, and the least atherosclerosis involvement compared to the other groups. These data indicate that dietary factors and sex/hormonal status play a role in determining plasma lipids and atherosclerosis in guinea pigs.     

Ultraviolet and Pulsed Electric Field Treatments Have Additive Effect on Inactivation of E. coli in Apple Juice

ABSTRACT: Apple juice inoculated with Escherichia coli ATCC 23472 was processed continuously using either ultraviolet (UV), high‐voltage pulsed electric field (PEF), or a combination of the PEF and UV treatment systems. Apple juice was pumped through either of the systems at 3 flow rates (8, 14, and 20 mL/min). E. coli was reduced by 3.46 log CFU/mL when exposed in a 50 cm length of UV treatment chamber at 8 mL/min (2.94 s treatment time with a product temperature increase of 13 °C). E. coli inactivation of 4.87 log CFU/mL was achieved with a peak electric field strength of 60 kV/cm and 11.3 pulses (average pulse width of 3.5 μs, product temperature increased to 52 °C). E. coli reductions resulting from a combination treatment of UV and PEF applied sequentially were evaluated. A maximum E. coli reduction of 5.35 log CFU/mL was achieved using PEF (electrical field strength of 60 kV/cm, specific energy of 162 J/mL, and 11.3 pulses) and UV treatments (length of 50 cm, treatment time of 2.94 s, and flow rate of 8 mL/min). An additive effect was observed for the combination treatments (PEF and UV), regardless of the order of treatment (P > 0.05). E. coli reductions of 5.35 and 5.30 log CFU/mL with PEF treatment (electrical field strength of 60 kV/cm, specific energy of 162 J/mL, and 11.3 pulses) followed by UV (length of 30 cm, treatment time of 1.8 s, and flow rate of 8 mL/min) and UV treatment followed by PEF (same treatment conditions), respectively. No synergistic effect was observed.     

The effect of ileal bypass on sterol balance and plasma cholesterol in the White Carneau pigeon

The effect of ileal bypass on steady-state sterol balance and plasma cholesterol was studied in sham operated (SO) and ileal bypass (IB) White Carneau pigeons 6 months (Group I) and 18 months (Group II) after surgery while fed their usual cholesterol-free diet. Unlike what has been noted in other animals, the bile acid (BA) and neutral sterol (NS) excretion (mg/kg per day) in IB was not statistically different from that in SO. Group I: BA, 40.2 (SO) vs 39.0 (IB); NS, 13.3 (SO) vs 17.3 (IB). Group II: BA, 55.7 (SO) vs 54.1 (IB); NS, 9.57 (SO) vs 8.84 (IB). IB pigeons had only slightly lower plasma cholesterol levels (postoperative) than SO pigeons. Group I, 329 (SO) vs 271 (IB) mg/dl (P less than 0.05); Group II, 374 (SO) vs 312 (IB) mg/dl. This study indicates that the response to ileal bypass by White Carneau pigeons in terms of cholesterol excretion and plasma cholesterol changes is different than what has been observed in other species.