Pulsed electric field technology: Modeling of electric field and temperature distributions within continuous flow PEF treatment chamber

Innovations and technology developments in the field of food pasteurization and sterilization are continuously evolving. These include innovations in thermal processing technologies such as aseptic processing, ohmic technology, and microwave technology, as well as non-thermal processing technologies which include pulsed electric field technology and high pressure processing technology. This paper discussed the results of a study on mathematical modeling of electric field and temperature distributions in a pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment chamber. A commercially available CFD software package (Fluent, Inc., Lebanon, NH, USA) was used to solve the continuity, momentum, energy and electric field equations in the PEF treatment chamber of different geometries. Results of the simulations indicated that chamber design affects fluid velocity profile, electric field distribution, and temperature distribution within the PEF treatment chamber. This result suggests that chamber design can significantly affect the effectiveness of PEF treatment on microbial inactivation during pasteurization or sterilization of liquid foods.