Mixing Equations for Dielectric Properties of Black Pepper Particles

Abstract:

The aim of the research is to find the optimum mixing equation for dielectric properties and verify its prediction accuracy in a radio frequency heating process. By measuring the dielectric constant of ground black pepper powder, the corresponding dielectric properties of particles were calculated using CRIME, LLLE and BE equation, respectively. The obtained dielectric properties were applied in COMSOL Multiphysics simulation for a radio frequency heating process and then verified by a parallel-plate radio frequency system (27.12 MHz, 12 kW). Results showed that the dielectric properties obtained by the CRIME equation provided the most reasonable temperature distribution as compared to the experimental results. The research proves that CRIME equation is a suitable model for black pepper particle dielectric properties, which may have an industrial application for heating process prediction of other granular materials.