ABSTRACTAccuracy of five formula methods for determining process lethality in conduction heating foods was examined. Finite‐difference simulation was used to generate temperature history curves for a range of cans and processing conditions. Delivered lethality was evaluated using the formula methods and compared to the lethality calculated using a numerical general method. Deviations exhibited trends related to container dimensions and unaccomplished temperature difference (g), the largest errors occurring when g was large and the height‐to‐diameter ratio was close to unity. Errors were mostly on the “safe” side, but the energy use implications could be significant for high retort temperature
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