Abstract

KASHIRI, M.; KASHANINEJAD, M.  and  AGHAJANI, N.. Modeling water absorption of sorghum during soaking. Lat. Am. appl. res. [online]. 2010, vol.40, n.4, pp.383-388. ISSN 0327-0793.

Water absorption of sorghum during soaking in water at temperatures of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ºC was simulated using Peleg's model. The weight gain during soaking process was determined in terms of moisture content. Peleg's equation was adequately capable to predict water uptake of sorghum under the experimental conditions. The Peleg rate constant, k₁, and capacity constant, k₂, decreased from 11.8×10^-2 to 0.95×10^-2 h %^-1 and 2.46×10^-2 to 2.06×10^-2 %, respectively, with increasing temperature. The effective diffusivity was evaluated by fitting experimental absorption data to Fick's second law of diffusion. Effective diffusivity of water varied from 8.376×10^-12 to 2.22×10^-12 m².s^-1 over the temperature range studied, with an energy activation of 24.21 kJ.mol^-1. The temperature dependence of the diffusivity coefficient was described satisfactorily by Arrhenius-type relationship.

Keywords : Peleg's Model; Soaking; Sorghum; Water Absorption.

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