Improving the performance of equipment for countercurrent extraction on the basis of process simulation

The article discusses the possibility and efficiency of using discrete diffusion in the extraction of materials with an internal anisotropic structure in comparison with a continuous diffusion process. For this purpose, theoretical calculations were made and experimental studies of countercurrent extraction of pectin from Jerusalem artichoke were carried out. To carry out the simulation, an equation for calculating the coefficient of internal diffusion and an equation for the adsorption isotherm during countercurrent extraction were determined. Evaluation of the efficiency of using countercurrent extraction to obtain pectin from Jerusalem artichoke was carried out by considering the influence of the effect of discrete diffusion on the rate of the process. The resulting equations made it possible to analytically evaluate the efficiency of discrete diffusion from two-zone spherical particles in comparison with continuous diffusion in multistage extraction of plant material. Having analytical data on the distribution of extractable substance concentrations in the inner and outer zones of the particle at different stages of extraction, it is possible to calculate the diffusion coefficients of materials in different zones and theoretically determine the degree of destruction of cell walls and structures at different stages of extraction. The developed technique, thanks to the analytical description of the process, allows you to select the optimal conditions for the extraction of various materials from plant and animal raw materials.