This is an add-on module, that is available through an in-app purchase. It is used to validate pasteurization or sterilization processes.
This validation is based on a calculation based on some parameters. ExpressThermo allows you to save templates so you can use them recurrently, without having to introduce the necessary input values every time.
On the left side of this editor, you will see the list of all saved heat treatment validation templates, if any (illustration key D). Right below, you’ll find buttons that allow you to add (illustration key C), edit (illustration key B) and delete (illustration key A) a template.
When adding a new template or editing an existing one, you will see its details on the right side of this editor. The template name (illustration key F), the kind of unit calculation to be performed: pasteurization or sterilization (illustration key E) and the input values (illustration keys G, H and I).
Let’s go a bit in depth on what these values mean. Tref (illustration key G) refers to the reference temperature, Tmin (illustration key H) is the minimum temperature (temperature bellow which there is no contribution to the process) and Z (illustration key I) indicates the temperature variation required to reduce the bacteria count by a factor of 10.
Based on these values, ExpressThermo will compute the number of Pasteurization Units (PU) or Sterilization Units (F0), depending of your choice (illustration key E). Where 1 PU represents the heating up to 60°C for 1 minute and 1 F0 stands for the heating up to 121,111 °C also for 1 minute.
Pressing the save button (illustration key L) will make your changes effective and saved in the template’s file. This file will be placed in the templates folder (see Preferences). To cancel your changes or just close the edition panel, press the cancel button (illustration key J).
Once you have saved your templates, you can use them on the Logger Tree page. Just download a logger or open a file with the heat treatment log data, reach for the commands bar and press the “Plot Heat Treatment” button, choosing the template you wish to use. You will see a new line added to the chart with the PU or F0 calculations result.
Remember, the calculation of Pasteurization (or Sterilization) Units is a mathematical model and provides a theoretical value. It is important to periodically verify the process through bacteriological analyses of processed products.
You can find more detailed information about the process in the Log settings and statistics (illustration key M).
