Prediction of chilling times for objects of regular multi-dimensional shapes using a general geometric factor.

In the case of regular geometric shapes, analytical solutions for transient boundary heat conduction have been used to define new equations for a universal geometric factor. This factor, which depends on Biot number and simple shape parameters, determines the slopes and the coordinates at the origin of a time/temperature semilogarithmic diagram to predict cooling times. Compared to previous ones, this method has important advantages, notably simplicity of algebraic calculations and no table. To accurately predict the cooling times of irregular shaped products, the calculation of those of regular shape must also have been successful.