Dynamic modeling of thermal treatment penetration within commodity mass of currants

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Abstract: Currants are among the primary dried fruits cultivated in Mediterranean regions due to their exceptional nutritional value. However, there is a gap regarding data concerning their storage and disinfection processes. The utilization of extreme temperatures offers a promising alternative to chemical methods for effectively disinfecting various stored commodities, including dried fruits and grains. Nevertheless, the lack of data concerning the influence of commodity presence on Thermal Penetration (TP) and the efficacy of such methods creates the potential for misconceptions to arise. This study aims to assess the efficacy of both cold and heat treatments under real-world conditions, considering the crucial factor of product presence. An initial thermal treatment (TT) model is developed using TP algorithms based on Newton’s Law of Cooling (NLC) for simulating thermal penetration over time and determining the time required for the entire pallet to reach temperature. Predicated on storage facility settings, a simulation model was tested, demonstrating the feasibility of designing an algorithm that is based on the different time-mortality combinations for the different application scenarios and TP. In addition, temperature/humidity sensors were utilized to record temperature values in different settings. Our findings indicate a significant impact of product presence on the effectiveness of the TT method on major pests of currants. In conclusion, the results of our study highlight cold and heat treatment as a viable, more sustainable disinfection strategy for enduring stored products.

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