https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-026-07713-6
Regular Article
Modeling and optimization of tomato puree flow through a sudden expansion pipe joint using CFD
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, COEP Technological University, 411005, Pune, India
2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Deogiri Institute of Engineering and Management Studies, 431005, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, India
3
Department of Civil Engineering, Shree Ramchandra College of Engineering, Pune, India
4
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Terna Engineering College, Nerul, 400706, New Mumbai, India
5
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, 411037, Pune, Maharashtra, India
6
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vidyavardhini’s College of Engineering & Technology Vasai West, Vasai-Virar, New Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
7
Department of Mechanical Engineering, S.N.D. College of Engineering & Research Center, 423401, Yeola, Babhulgaon Kh., Maharashtra, India
8
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Design, Bartın University, Bartın, Turkey
9
Industrial Tribology Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, M.E.S. Wadia College of Engineering, S. P. Pune University, 411001, Pune, India
a
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Received:
14
February
2026
Accepted:
18
April
2026
Published online:
16
May
2026
Abstract
This study investigates the flow physics of tomato puree through a sudden expansion pipe joint in a processing plant. Tomato is a widely cultivated vegetable crop. The food processing industry uses tomato juice and tomato paste to produce finished food products such as sauce, ketchup, and pulp. In terms of fluid flow physics, tomato puree exhibits non-Newtonian, shear-thinning behavior. Viscosity of tomato puree is modeled using non-Newtonian power-law model available in ANSYS FLUENT Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling software. An important engineering result for this type of problem is major loss or friction power loss. Results are presented for friction power loss inside sudden expansion pipe flow geometrical configuration for a range of Reynolds numbers using the steady-state analysis. Zones of possible tomato puree mass accumulation are identified. The larger the accumulation zone, the worse is the engineering design. The rheological response of tomato puree following an accidental shutdown of the pumping mechanism is investigated through transient CFD simulations. Based on the findings of the analysis, an alternate geometrical configuration that may potentially avoid puree mass accumulation and reduce energy loss is suggested. The effects of key input parameters, including Reynolds number and rheological parameters governing viscosity, on the friction factor are quantified through empirical correlations, constituting a valuable outcome of the analysis.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
