Residence Time Distributions of Meat and Carrot Cubes in the Holding Tube of an Aseptic Processing System

Abstract

Residence time distribution (RTD) of meat and carrot cubes in the holding tube of a commercial pilot scale aseptic processing system was evaluated using a full factorial design of experiments employing holding tube length (4·6, 9·2, 13·8 and 18·4 m), flow rate (10, 15 and 20 kg/min), particle size (10 and 20 mm meat cubes and 6 and 13 mm carrot cubes) and concentration of the carrier fluid (40 and 60 g/100 g starch) as factors. All test factors significantly ( P< 0·05) influenced the fastest particle residence time and its normalized counterpart, the mean particle residence time and standard deviation of RTD. Experimental RTD was well described by a generalized logistic model ( r 2> 0·95). The model parameters were responsive to test factors and could be well described using multiple regression analyses of test factors and their interactions.