THE FINITE-ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF TRANSIENT HEAT-TRANSFER IN FRESH TOMATOES DURING COOLING

A finite element method was used to develop a computer model for predicting the temperature distribution in mature green tomatoes represented by real axisymmetric shape. The vertical cross-section of one half of a tomato was divided into 104 elements and 70 node points to solve the heat conduction equation using the computer model for estimating transient temperatures at various locations in a tomato during cooling in an environmental chamber. The temperatures predicted by the model for simulated cooling of tomatoes were compared with the temperatures determined experimentally for mature green tomatoes stored at the simulated conditions. Excellent agreement was obtained between computer predictions and experimentally determined tomato temperatures. This model was used successfully in estimating the time-temperature profile on the surface as well as at various locations inside the tomato.