Freezing time

Problem no. 7.10

 Problem detail
• Using Plank’s equation. Determine the
freezing time for a potato sphere with a
moisture content of 88%. The potato will be
frozen in blast freezer where air is available at
-40 ⁰C and the convection heat transfer
coefficient is 40 W/(m2 ⁰C). The thermal
conductivity of frozen potato is estimated to
be 1.3 W/(m ⁰C) and its density is 950 kg/ m2.
The initial freezing temperature of potato is
-2 ⁰C . The diameter of potato sphere is 2 cm.
 Given
• Initial freezing temperature TF = -2 ⁰C
• Air temperature Ta = -40 ⁰C
• Moisture content of potato = 88%
• Product diameter = 2 cm = 0.02 m
• Product density = 950 kg/m3
• Thermal conductivity of frozen potato k = 1.3 W/(m ⁰C)
• Convection heat transfer coefficient h = 40 W/(m2 ⁰C)
• Shape constants for sphere
P’ = ⅙
R’ = ⅟24
 Solution

• Determine latent heat of fusion for the food material, Lf

Lf = m m L
where
L = latent latent heat of fusion of water( 333.2 kJ/kg)
mm = moisture content
Lf = 0.88×( 333.2 kJ/kg)
= 2932.16 kJ/kg
 Solution
• Plank’s equation
 f L f  P 'a
R' a 2 
tf  
  

TF  Ta  h k 


950kg / m 2932.16kJ / kg  
3

(0.02m)

0.02m 
2

 
[2C  (40C )]  6 ( 40W / m 2
C ) 24(1 . 3W / m C ) 

 7.037kJ / W
 1.955hr
Thank you for your attention