CONSTRUCTION OF A PREDICTIVE MODEL FOR PRODUCT HEAT LOAD DURING CHILLING USING AN EVOLUTIONARY METHOD

Modelling the change in heat load with time is difficult for products with variable and complex geometries and compositions, such as beef carcasses. However, accurate heat load prediction is important for efficient design and operation of refrigeration systems. A simple method for constructing a model to predict the time-variable product heat load profile during chilling applications is proposed. The heat transfer parameters in the model are found by curve-fitting using an evolutionary error minimisation method. The model was tested against pseudo-data, generated by finite difference calculations, for simple shapes as well as published experimental data for more complex shapes. 2