SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS of ASEPTIC PROCESS SIMULATIONS FOR FOODS CONTAINING PARTICULATES1

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Abstract
A sensitivity analysis of a computer model, simulating heat transfer into particulate foods processed in a continuous aseptic system was conducted to determine how the model reacts to the variations in selected product and process input parameters depending on simulation types, namely, “Total”, “F0 Hold” and “Hold Only”. Three major output variables, namely, holding tube required to destroy 6 D of Clostridium sporogenes (PA3679), destruction of thiamine and inactivation of peroxidase were selected for the sensitivity analysis. Theoretical results indicated that basically no difference between the “Total” system approach and the “F0 Hold” approach was found on the model prediction. Particle size, particle thermal properties such as density and specific heat were the most sensitive parameters (within the range investigated) among product parameters which influence holding tube length required, thiamine and peroxidase retention while fluid properties such as fluid thermal conductivity and viscosity were less susceptible to affect the model prediction regardless of simulation types. Among process parameters, product flow rate and product initial temperature seemed to be the most critical parameters within the range covered in this study while rotor speed seemed to be one of the least critical parameters to influence the model prediction regardless of simulation types.