An Inverse Estimation Method for Surface Film Conductance During Cooling of Fish Packages

A temperature history detected by measuring sensor, along with other relevant system’s parameters have been used to predict the surface film conductance through transient temperature measurements in fish flesh samples during their cooling in a chilled air duct at a constant temperature of 1°C. The Inverse Heat Conduction Problem (IHCP) solution was performed by using the sequential function specification method to estimate heat flux, which was then utilized to solve the direct problem for the temperature distribution at any position including at the sensor position on the fish sample using Crank-Nicolson implicit finite difference scheme. The predicted and measured temperature distribution profiles were compared numerically, yielding good agreement indicating the accuracy of the present approach in calculating surface film conductance.