A generalised mathematical modelling methodology for design of horticultural food packages exposed to refrigerated conditions: Part 3, mass transfer modelling and testing

A modelling methodology developed to simulate a wide range of heat and mass transfer processes in refrigerated storage of horticultural foods was used for prediction of mass transfer of water vapour in packaged horticultural products. The mass transfer pathways, which are considered the most significant in industrial practice for a range of products and packaging systems, were modelled. Experimental testing was conducted for 10 product-package systems. Even though the model supports multi-zone package representation, a single zone was found to be adequate for all test data. Agreement between prediction and measurement was within likely data uncertainties for mass loss, packaging moisture uptake and relative humidity difference to the external environment. Sub-models for which further development may be justified are identified. Coupled with the heat transfer results presented in Part 2, the present work verifies the validity of the overall model structure presented in Part 1.