Modeling the Propagation of Salmonella within Bulk Almond Using Discrete Element Method Particle Simulation Technique

Modeling the propagation of bacterial cross-contamination within bulk material is a critical task for validating microbial safety complex post-harvest processing tree nuts. In this paper, discrete element method (DEM) coupled with heat transfer modeling was applied to cell problem, and model outputs were translated into case almond kernels contaminated Salmonella in mixing process. The DEM calibrated via small-scale (0.2 kg) dry experiment flat rotary drum trials, validated medium-scale experimental data (1 terms spatial-temporal distribution contamination material. Thereafter, tested simulate large-scale simulation (200 kg), which demonstrated its expandability reasonable outcomes. This study that an efficient tool cross-contamination/propagation during food processing.