FREEZING TIME CALCULATION FOR PRODUCTS WITH SIMPLE GEOMETRICAL SHAPES

A simple model is proposed to estimate freezing times of foodstuffs of simple geometrical shapes (infinite flat slabs, infinite cylinders, spheres, rectangular parallelepipeds and finite cylinders). This model combines Plank's equation for change of phase period with the unsteady heat transfer solutions for cooling periods before and after phase change. The total freezing time is obtained by the determination and the summation of the precooling, phase change and tempering times. the results produced are at least as accurate as or better than any of the previous methods, including regression formula and finite difference computations. Tables required for fast and accurate predictions of freezing times of foodstuffs with this method are provided.