ARS | Publication request: CFD modeling to improve safe and efficient distribution of chlorine dioxide gas for packaging fresh produce

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 10, 2009
Publication Date: June 7, 2009
Citation: Tripathi,B.,Rubino,M.,Auras,R,Annous,B.,Matthews,K. 2010.CFD modeling to improve safe and efficient distribution of chlorine dioxide gas for packaging fresh produce [abstract].IFT.Chicago,IL.p.1.

Technical Abstract: The efficiency of the packaging system in inactivating food borne pathogens and prolonging the shelf life of fresh-cut produce is influenced by the design of the package apart from material and atmospheric conditions. Three different designs were considered to determine a specific package design ensuring the maximum effective gaseous distribution inside the package. Numerical simulations of conservative equations of fluid flow were solved under the unsteady/steady conditions. The obtained results were validated through benchmark solutions and independent grid test. Inlet mass flow rate and inlet size were specified at the wall boundary conditions. The predicted result of streamlines and velocity vectors along the package size shows a unique flow behavior at the cross-section. Flow phenomena changes with wall boundary layer at different mass flow rates. The fluid flow behavior inside the package suggested that the accurate design plays an important role in the gas distribution of bactericide gases within the packaging system. For effective distribution of a gas, proper injection conditions and location should be determined for specific fresh produce.