CFD evaluating the influence of airflow on the thermocouple-measured temperature data during air-blasting chilling

A numerical investigation using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code is carried out to examine the influence of airflow on the thermocouple-measured temperature during air-blast chilling. A CFD model is developed to predict the temperature distribution and weight loss of the foods with and without the presence of thermocouples; the simulated temperature data are compared with experimental results. The comparison shows significant differences in the temperature results, especially near the surface of the foods being chilled. The study demonstrates that the temperature error depends not only on the length of the thermocouple remaining outside the product, but also the depth of the thermocouple inserted into the product. This study reveals a hidden source of experimental error and may help process engineers to better understand the phenomenon, and to correctly evaluate and examine their experimental and/or simulated temperature results for the air-blast chilling process.