Mathematical Modeling of Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Fatty Acids from Trout Powder: Correlation of Mass Transfer Parameters

Abstract

Supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE) has been introduced as an excellent method especially for food and pharmaceutical industries. Trout powder was selected as a source of high amount of valuable materials such as essential fatty acids (FAs). In this work, a mathematical model is introduced to simulate the transitional behavior of the extraction process. This model is able to explain the variation of FAs concentration profile in the bulk and solid phases versus the time of extraction. Effects of main operational parameters such as pressure (280 to 340 bar) and temperature (310 to 326 K) on the extraction yields were investigated in the supercritical fluid extraction system of laboratory scale and the results were compared with that information obtained from the solution of the model. In order to describe solid-solvent interactions, a linear equilibrium relationship was used in the model. Partial differential mass balance equations for the solid and fluid phases were solved numerically using an implicit method. The effective diffusivity into the particle pores and mass transfer coefficient to the bulk phase were the model parameters and they were correlated at different temperatures and pressures by fitting the results of the model to the experiments. The axial diffusivity and equilibrium coefficient of solid-solvent were kept constant in whole range of the operational conditions and they were estimated as the model constants.