Exploring the link between coffee matrix microstructure and flow properties using combined X-ray microtomography and smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations
Abstract Coffee extraction involves many complex physical and transport processes extremely difficult to model. Among the many factors that will affect the final quality of coffee, the microstructure of the coffee matrix is one of the most critical ones. In this article, we use X-ray micro-computed...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-42380-y |
| _version_ | 1797452968778268672 |
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| author | Chaojie Mo Richard Johnston Luciano Navarini Furio Suggi Liverani Marco Ellero |
| author_facet | Chaojie Mo Richard Johnston Luciano Navarini Furio Suggi Liverani Marco Ellero |
| author_sort | Chaojie Mo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Coffee extraction involves many complex physical and transport processes extremely difficult to model. Among the many factors that will affect the final quality of coffee, the microstructure of the coffee matrix is one of the most critical ones. In this article, we use X-ray micro-computed (microCT) technique to capture the microscopic details of coffee matrices at particle-level and perform fluid dynamics simulation based on the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method (SPH) with the 3D reconstructured data. Information like flow permeability and tortuosity of the matrices can be therefore obtained from our simulation. We found that inertial effects can be quite significant at the normal pressure gradient conditions typical for espresso brewing, and can provide an explanation for the inconsistency of permeability measurements seen in the literature. Several types of coffee powder are further examined, revealing their distinct microscopic details and resulting flow features. By comparing the microCT images of pre- and post-extraction coffee matrices, it is found that a decreasing porosity profile (from the bottom-outlet to the top-inlet) always develops after extraction. This counterintuitive phenomenon can be explained using a pressure-dependent erosion model proposed in our prior work. Our results reveal not only some important hydrodynamic mechanisms of coffee extraction, but also show that microCT scan can provide useful microscopic details for coffee extraction modelling. MicroCT scan establishes the basis for a data-driven numerical framework to explore the link between coffee powder microstructure and extraction dynamics, which is the prerequisite to study the time evolution of both volatile and non-volatile organic compounds and then the flavour profile of coffee brews. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:15:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9fcd98ef62bf4d968a97ac9771fc8393 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:15:47Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-9fcd98ef62bf4d968a97ac9771fc83932023-11-26T13:04:57ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-09-0113111510.1038/s41598-023-42380-yExploring the link between coffee matrix microstructure and flow properties using combined X-ray microtomography and smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulationsChaojie Mo0Richard Johnston1Luciano Navarini2Furio Suggi Liverani3Marco Ellero4Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (BCAM)Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea UniversityIllycaffè S.p.AIllycaffè S.p.ABasque Center for Applied Mathematics (BCAM)Abstract Coffee extraction involves many complex physical and transport processes extremely difficult to model. Among the many factors that will affect the final quality of coffee, the microstructure of the coffee matrix is one of the most critical ones. In this article, we use X-ray micro-computed (microCT) technique to capture the microscopic details of coffee matrices at particle-level and perform fluid dynamics simulation based on the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method (SPH) with the 3D reconstructured data. Information like flow permeability and tortuosity of the matrices can be therefore obtained from our simulation. We found that inertial effects can be quite significant at the normal pressure gradient conditions typical for espresso brewing, and can provide an explanation for the inconsistency of permeability measurements seen in the literature. Several types of coffee powder are further examined, revealing their distinct microscopic details and resulting flow features. By comparing the microCT images of pre- and post-extraction coffee matrices, it is found that a decreasing porosity profile (from the bottom-outlet to the top-inlet) always develops after extraction. This counterintuitive phenomenon can be explained using a pressure-dependent erosion model proposed in our prior work. Our results reveal not only some important hydrodynamic mechanisms of coffee extraction, but also show that microCT scan can provide useful microscopic details for coffee extraction modelling. MicroCT scan establishes the basis for a data-driven numerical framework to explore the link between coffee powder microstructure and extraction dynamics, which is the prerequisite to study the time evolution of both volatile and non-volatile organic compounds and then the flavour profile of coffee brews.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-42380-y |
| spellingShingle | Chaojie Mo Richard Johnston Luciano Navarini Furio Suggi Liverani Marco Ellero Exploring the link between coffee matrix microstructure and flow properties using combined X-ray microtomography and smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations Scientific Reports |
| title | Exploring the link between coffee matrix microstructure and flow properties using combined X-ray microtomography and smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations |
| title_full | Exploring the link between coffee matrix microstructure and flow properties using combined X-ray microtomography and smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the link between coffee matrix microstructure and flow properties using combined X-ray microtomography and smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the link between coffee matrix microstructure and flow properties using combined X-ray microtomography and smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations |
| title_short | Exploring the link between coffee matrix microstructure and flow properties using combined X-ray microtomography and smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations |
| title_sort | exploring the link between coffee matrix microstructure and flow properties using combined x ray microtomography and smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-42380-y |
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