Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Simulations to Spray-Freezing Operations

Abstract

--------------------------------------------- AbstractA 3-D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation for spray-freezing in a cold gas has been developed and used to identify design improvements.This model includes an approximate method to model the latent heat of fusion, and is able to track particle trajectories. The simulation predictions agreed reasonably well with experimentally measured gas temperatures and droplet velocities. The results suggest that a hollow cone spray is more effective in cooling the particles uniformly. The CFD simulation suggested that build up of an icy layer on the cone walls observed experimentally was due to incomplete freezing of larger particles (> 100 µm). Collection efficiencies could be raised (from 20% to 57%) by increasing the diameter of the chamber outlet.

Application of computational fluid dynamics simulations in food industry

“…Another novel solution used by researchers is the use of 3D CFD simulations for spray freezing in cold gas. Such a mathematical model made it possible to solve the problem of the accumulation of a layer of ice at the outlet of the nozzle and to increase the efficiency by increasing the diameter of the outlet of the chamber (from 20 to 57%) [92].…”

Unsteady RANS and detached eddy simulation of the multiphase flow in a co-current spray drying

“…The particles-fluid interaction were modelled using a DPM, and two-way coupling was considered in order to enable the prediction of simultaneous heat and mass transfer during the drying process [3,13]. The combined Eulerian and Lagrangian model were used to obtain the particle trajectories by solving the force balance equation as follows:…”

Applications of Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD) in the Food Industry

“…However, the PDA measurements could only be performed at a maximum axial distance of 0.2m below the nozzle [30] . Application of Chemical Engineering Anandharamakrishnan predicted gas and particle temperatures, velocities, impact positions on the wall and residence times to improve the spray-freezing operation [31] . The results showed that the simulation predictions agreed reasonably well with experimentally measured gas temperatures and droplet velocities.…”