Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) - an effective and efficient design and analysis tool for the food industry: A review

Abstract

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a powerful numerical tool that is becoming widely used to simulate many processes in the food industry. Recent progression in computing efficacy coupled with reduced costs of CFD software packages has advanced CFD as a viable technique to provide effective and efficient design solutions. This paper discusses the fundamentals involved in developing a CFD solution. It also provides a state-of-the-art review on various CFD applications in the food industry such as ventilation, drying, sterilisation, refrigeration, cold display and storage, and mixing and elucidates the physical models most commonly used in these applications. The challenges faced by modellers using CFD in the food industry are also discussed. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.