Langmuir-diffusion model: Its modification and further application to glutinous rice flour particles

摘要

When the Langmuir-diffusion model was applied to a continuous multistep dynamic vapor adsorption, an initial desorption of bound water was predicted for the relative humidity (RH) steps except the first. The desorption is physically meaningless. The model was modified with assuming probability ratio (beta/gamma) continuity between the boundary and field equations. The beta/gamma was calculated from the Park isotherm model. According to our modifying methodology, two parameter selection strategies exist while conducting parameter optimization:beta as parameter while gamma calculated using the beta/gamma ratio;gamma as parameter while beta calculated. These two strategies can result to almost identical total, free and bound water concentration evolution, nearly equal diffusivity, and qualitatively similar variation trends of both gamma and beta with free water concentration. Application of the modified model to the adsorption of glutinous rice flour revealed that the well-documented bell-like diffusivity vs RH curve did not hold for the free water. Practical Applications The Fickian law assumes that all water molecules diffuse equally. As we all know, at least two water populations with different mobilities coexist in most food materials. The Langmuir-diffusion model assumes that the water molecules exist in free and bound states and that the free molecules may bond at certain sorption sites while diffusing. The modified version of the Langmuir-diffusion model proposed here can be used to describe a continuous multistep vapor adsorption and deepen our understanding of moisture transfer mechanisms. This information can be applied in optimizing both the quality of food product and the economics of many food processes involving water transfer.