A novel method to evaluate the applicability of time temperature integrators to different temperature profiles

The use of a Peltier device to provide controlled heating and cooling profiles to test the applicability of time temperature integrators (TTIs) has been evaluated. The α-amylase of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens has been used as a case study.Kinetic parameters of the enzyme were first determined as D85 °C of 6.1 min ± 0.4 min and z of 12 °C ± 1.3 °C. Non-isothermal heat treatment processes were simulated with a Peltier thermoelectric module, and the P values found by assaying the TTI responses and integrating thermocouple temperature-time data compared. The response of the TTI responses correlated well with the thermocouples for non-isothermal processes: The two sets of P values were identical to ± 20%.The Peltier stage is shown to be useful in giving programmed temperature-time profiles that can be used to test the accuracy and application of TTIs.Industrial relevanceTime temperature integrators (TTIs) are potentially very valuable for the measurement and validation of thermal processes. However, their industrial use requires their accuracy to be known to ensure that the results can be correctly interpreted. This paper gives a study of the accuracy of one such TTI.