Measurement of thermal properties of white radish (R. raphanistrum) using easily constructed probes

PLoS One. 2017 Mar 13;12(3):e0171016. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171016. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Thermal properties are necessary for the design and control of processes and storage facilities of food materials. This study proposes the measurement of thermal properties using easily constructed probes with specific heat capacity calculated, as opposed to the use of Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) or other. These probes were constructed and used to measure thermal properties of white radish in the temperature range of 80-20°C and moisture content of 91-6.1% wb. Results showed thermal properties were within the range of 0.71-0.111 Wm-1 C-1 for thermal conductivity, 1.869×10-7-0.72×10-8 m2s-1 for thermal diffusivity and 4.316-1.977 kJ kg-1C-1for specific heat capacity. These results agree with reports for similar products studied using DSC and commercially available line heat source probes. Empirical models were developed for each property through linear multiple regressions. The data generated would be useful in modeling and control of its processing and equipment design.

MeSH terms

  • Calorimetry, Differential Scanning
  • Hot Temperature
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Raphanus / physiology*
  • Thermal Conductivity*

Grants and funding

This research was funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China, http://www.nsfc.gov.cn/ (grant number 31401597; funding received by TF); and High Level University Construction Funds: Research on the innovation of the Sub Tropical Special Agricultural Products processing and Safety Control Technology (grant number 612014042; funding received by The Dean, College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.