Application of the PVSDM model for elucidating mass transfer mechanisms during adsorption and its potential applications in food research

Abstract

The pore volume and surface diffusion model (PVSDM) provides a rigorous, mechanistic framework for elucidating mass transfer phenomena in adsorption processes. Unlike empirical kinetic models, PVSDM offers a physically grounded description that integrates solid-liquid interfacial transfer, intraparticle diffusion, and adsorption site interactions within a unified theoretical construct. Although this model holds great promise for exploring adsorption mechanisms in complex food matrices, its mathematical complexity has hindered its broader adoption in food research. This work presents a comprehensive exposition of the PVSDM theory, encompassing its conceptual foundations, mathematical formulations, and computational implementation. The governing assumptions and simplification strategies used to solve the PVSDM model are first elucidated, followed by detailed methods for calculating key mass transfer parameters prior to model computations. Subsequently, the numerical operations required to solve the partial differential equations are outlined. Furthermore, representative findings derived from PVSDM simulations are discussed in the context of adsorption phenomena involving food components. This study advances scientific understanding by integrating physics-based modeling frameworks with their practical implications in food science.