A structural generic model to predict the effective thermal conductivity of granular materials

A generic structural model to estimate the effective thermal conductivity o f granular foods is proposed based on a distribution coefficient. It is ass umed that granular food materials in bulk can be considered as a two-phase system containing granules and an interstitial air phase, and while the gra nules are also be considered as a two-phase system containing dry mater and water. Two different distribution factors are defined, one for granular ma terials in bulk and another for the granules. The proposed model was applie d Successfully to granular starch.