Thermal properties of sugarbeet roots

Abstract

Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) roots are subjected to heating and cooling during storage and processing 3iJld their response to heat transfer is dependent on thermal properties of the roots. Specific heat and thermal conductivity values are used in the design and modeling of ventilated storage of sugarbeet roots. Specific heat ofsugarbeet roots was measured using the method of indirect mixtures. A probe was constructed using a small diameter brass tube, type l' thermocouple wire, and a constantan wire acting a s heater to measure thermal conductivity of sngarbeet roots. The measured specific heat of sugarbeet roots (3.5464 kJ/kgK) was similar to the predicted specific heat values from Siebel's correlation and Reidel's calculation. The measured specific heat ofsugarbeet roots was similar to values for apple pomes and potato tubers. The thermal ctonductivity for frozen sugarbeet roots was twice that of unfrozen roots. Observed thermal conduc­ tivity values for sugarbeet roots were similar to -values reported for apple pomes and potato tubers.