Simulation of mass transfer during sucrose extraction from sugar beet using a combined analytical and semi-empirical model

Abstract

In this study, the leaching of sucrose from sugar beet was investigated in a batch process using distilled water solvent. Extraction kinetics was explored at low and high solutions/solid mass ratios. The experimental data were examined by a mathematical model based on Fick’s second law and the Azuara model as a semi-empirical model to determine diffusion coefficients, equilibrium concentrations, and dissociation coefficient K (the ratio of the concentration at the sample to concentration in solution). Diffusion coefficients were calculated by nonlinear regression of the experimental findings. The diffusion coefficients of sucrose (ranging from 2.4831 × 10−10 to 3.2023 × 10−10 m2/s) were higher in the high solution/solid mass ratios compared to the low ratios (ranging from 0.5231 × 10−10 to 0.8728 × 10−10 m2/s) due to higher mass transfer driving force. Also, the proposed empirical Azuara model could properly describe equilibrium concentrations by predicting results (squared mean square error less than 0.0082) close to experimental data at different operating conditions.