Modelling the kinetics of ethyl formate sorption by wheat using batch experiments.

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Food Science

Background:

• Ethyl formate (EF) is a potential replacement for methyl bromide in grain disinfestation.
• Rapid sorption of EF by grain can lead to insufficient fumigation and unacceptable residues.
• A sorption kinetics model is needed for safe and effective EF fumigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a model for ethyl formate sorption kinetics in wheat.
• To identify mass transport processes influencing EF sorption.
• To enable optimized fumigation strategies for disinfestation and food safety.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and experimental data to identify mass transport processes.
• Modeling of EF sorption kinetics, including reaction losses (first-order kinetics) and gas/solid phase transport.
• Determination of model coefficients using batch experimental data and novel gaseous breakdown data.

Main Results:

• Identified key mass transport processes in EF sorption by wheat.
• Developed a model incorporating reaction losses and diffusion.
• Measured novel gaseous breakdown data for EF, confirming first-order kinetics.

Conclusions:

• The model accurately predicts EF concentrations in air and grain for disinfestation and residue assessment.
• The model's framework is adaptable to other fumigant-grain systems.
• It accounts for diffusion and reaction kinetics relevant to industrial fumigation.