Experimental investigation and mathematical modeling of starch extraction from fixed, expanded and fluidized beds of potatoes

• Published in: Separation science and technology Vol. 60; no. 13; pp. 1719 - 1732
• Main Authors: Seif, Maryam, Abbasi Souraki, Behrooz, Sayyad Amin, Javad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 02.09.2025
• Subjects: fixed-bed; fluidized-bed; mathematical model; potato; Solid-liquid extraction
• ISSN: 0149-6395; 1520-5754
• DOI: 10.1080/01496395.2025.2528476

This study investigates the solid-liquid extraction of starch from potatoes using distilled water as the solvent in both batch and continuous processes. Continuous extraction was performed using fixed, expanded, and fluidized beds of cubic potato samples. Key operating conditions, including flow rates of 1, 1.5, 3, and 6 cm 3 /s and temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 °C, were analyzed. Batch experiments were conducted at 30, 40, and 50 °C to determine the effective diffusivity, which was subsequently utilized in the continuous modeling approaches. Results indicated that increasing the solvent flow rate and temperature significantly enhanced extraction efficiency. The cumulative extraction yield reached a maximum of 63% in fluidized-bed processes at 50 °C and a flow rate of 6 cm 3 /s, while yields varied from 30% to 37% at lower temperatures and fixed-bed conditions. The effective diffusion coefficients calculated in batch experiments ranged from 0.451 to 0.995 × 10 −10 m 2 /s as the temperature increased from 30 °C to 50 °C, showcasing the sensitivity of the extraction process to temperature changes. Various mathematical modeling approaches were employed, with a model incorporating a time-dependent partition coefficient demonstrating the highest accuracy, with average absolute deviations below 10%.