Mathematical modelling and simulation of mass transfer in osmotic dehydration processes. Part III: Parametric study

Abstract

Part I of this communication described a mathematical model for mass transfer in cellular tissue subjected to osmotic dehydration and Part II presented the methodology for solving the model equation and verifying the model. This third part contains results of a parametric study on osmotic dehydration using the model. The parameters investigated included concentration of the osmotic solution, molecular weight of solute, permeability of cell membrane, and initial void ratio of tissue. It was shown that an increase of solute concentration in the osmotic solution resulted in an increase of the rate of osmotic dehydration as well as the final equilibrium state values. Relationships involved in the equilibrium conditions achieved in the tissue varied with the external solution concentration. Mass transfer in both the extracellular volume and across the cell membrane were shown to be potentially rate-limiting factors in osmotic dehydration.