Optimization of Ohmic Heating Sterilization by Applying AC Electrical Field

Ohmic heating is one the newest and efficient methods of food processing which can generate uniform temperature field in the sterilizing domain. However, non-homogeneity inside the domain, such as different conductivities within the medium, will make temperature non-uniformity. Temperature non-uniformity may result in inefficient food sterilization and food nutrition destruction. The current study aims to compare the influences of AC and DC electric fields on the sterilizing domain and show how the AC electric field can enhance the sterilizing results. For the same strength values of AC and DC electric fields, the results show great improvements of temperature uniformity for the AC Ohmic heating. Based on the results of the current study, it can be concluded that using the AC electric field, instead of DC, will substantially improve the food sterilizing quality.