A generalised mathematical modelling methodology for the design of horticultural food packages exposed to refrigerated conditions Part 2. Heat transfer modelling and testing

Sub-models required to implement the generalised simulation system, described in Part 1 for predicting in-package cooling rates of horticultural produce, are presented. These are based on heat transfer principles, but their derivation also involved application of heuristics derived by engineering judgement. Testing used two different products, eight package designs and data from four independent sources. Lack of fit between experiment and prediction was no larger than could be explained by likely data uncertainties so there is confidence that the simulation system will be accurate for a wide range of products and package designs. The object-oriented design of the simulation package allows individual sub-models to be updated without affecting any other sub-model, thereby ensuring the simulation package can remain up-to-date. In Part 3 the mass transfer sub-models are presented and test results reported.