Lattice Boltzmann model for freezing of French fries

Abstract

In this paper we present a Lattice Boltzmann model for food freezing, using the enthalpy method. Simulations are performed using the case study of freezing par-fried french fries. The action of par-frying leads to moisture removal from the crust region, which was treated via the initial conditions for the freezing model. Simulations show that under industrial-relevant freezing conditions, the crust region remains either unfrozen or only partially frozen. This result is important for the practical quality problem of dust, which is the phenomenon of fracturing of the crust during finish-frying.Next to the insight, the Lattice Boltzmann freezing model rendered for the case study of par-fried french fries, we pose that this freezing application is a comprehensive tutorial problem, via which food scientists can be conveniently introduced to the Lattice Boltzmann method. Commonly, the Lattice Boltzmann method has its value in solving complex fluid flow problems, but the complexity of these problems is possibly withholding food scientists to get familiar with the method. Our freezing is solved in 2D, and on a simple square lattice with only 5 particle velocities (a D2Q5 lattice). We hope via this simple tutorial problem, the Lattice Boltzmann method becomes more accessible.