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Calculate Process Tab Overview

  • Updated

The heating factors you choose in the "Ball Summary" tab are passed to the "Calculate Process" tab for use in the Ball Formula Process Calculation. The following are the sections and features of the Calculate Process tab:

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PRODUCT INFO-

(These values will be used on the printed Process Schedule)

  • Product Name: name of product being tested
  • Container Type (drop-down list)
  • Container Dimension
  • Container Description
  • Container Additional Information
  • Retort Type (drop-down list)
  • Retort Manufacturer/Model
  • Plant Name: name of factory where HP testing was conducted
  • Location: location of factory where HP testing was conducted
  • Other Info

PROCESS FACTORS-

  • Data File Used: HP file used to Set the Process Calculation
  • TC#: Thermocoupled used within the HP file used to Set the Process Calculation
  • Heating Factors (jh, fh, f2, xbh, m+g): By default, these factors came from the thermocouple chosen from the previous tab.
    • It is important to note that the m+g factor is determined based on your retort selection. The m+g is the factor used in the Ball Formula that represents the difference between the retort temperature and cooling water. Traditionally, for Steam retorts, the m+g = 180°F (100°C) and for Water retorts, the m+g = 130°F (72.2°C).
    • NOTE: The Process Factors and RT/IT ranges can be set in PREFERENCES. To access this, select "Preferences" at the top right on the main CALSoft homepage, and then choose the "Process Factors" tab.
  • TC Correction: This corrects errors in heat penetration measurement caused by conduction of heat along the thermocouple by the introduction of heat into the product by thermocouple fittings. Thermocouple Correction values should be used for conduction heating products in containers with diameters less than or equal to 307. If the standard needle-type thermocouples applicable for these size cans are used in other size containers, correction factors should still be used. The correction factor is applied against the jh value. The following are the known correction factors:
Can Diameter Correction Factor
202 1.36
211 1.16
300 1.10
307 1.06
  • Come Up Time: This is for "Come Up Time Credit."  42% of the time entered here will be used in the Ball Formula calculation.  Caution should be used when applying Come Up Time Credit, as limitations exist and should be understood.  The application of Come Up Time Credit will be printed on the final Process Schedule.
  • Process Correction: The value entered here will be treated as a percentage and will extend the calculated cook time by that percentage (a 10 entered here will result in a cook time that is 10% longer than the actual calculated cook time). This correction percentage will be printed on the final Process Schedule.
  • Process Time Extension: The value entered here will be treated as "minutes" and will extend the calculated cook time by that amount of time (a 10 entered here will result in a cook time that is 10 minutes longer than the actual calculated cook time). You must enter a "Reason" for the process extension. This extension and reason will be printed on the final Process Schedule.

PROCESS VALUES-

  • Temperature Type: you can choose Fahrenheit or Celsius
  • IT/RT Range: The Ball Formula allows you to calculate a matrix of cook times based on a range of Retort Temperatures and Product Initial Temperatures (within limitations). Enter the "Low" and "High" values, and the "Intervals," for the RT and IT that you would like to use in the process calculations.
  • Product Type: Choose Low Acid Canned Food (LACF), Acidified, or Other, to set the z and Tref for the sterility "F" value
    • Choosing LACF: z = 18 and Tref = 250
    • Choosing Acidified: z = 16 and Tref = 200
    • Choosing "Other" will allow you to enter your own z and Tref values
  • Ball Formula Used: TechniCAL's 9th Degree Ball Formula (Standard Method) or the Modified Ball Formula

CRITICAL FACTORS- This section allows you to assign Critical Factors to the calculated process. For more on this, check out the Critical Factors article.

CALCULATE- This section contains different process calculation options and reports, including:

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