Mathematical modeling and experimental validation of an extrusion process to produce biodegradable cassava starch pellets

• Grant number: 19/21700-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: January 01, 2020
• End date: March 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Carmen Cecilia Tadini
• Grantee: Larissa do Val Siqueira
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07914-8 - FoRC - Food Research Center, AP.CEPID

Abstract

The development of materials that can cause less impact for the environment has been considered a subject of great importance nowadays. The knowledge of efficient techniques for the production of these materials is fundamental. The extrusion process is an example of efficient technique, with the advantage of being a continuous process as well, although the definition of the optimal process parameters is not simple. Therefore, the project aims to study an extrusion process by developing and validating an analytical model that simulates the production of biodegradable cassava starch pellets, which would be used to produce films for packaging. Moreover, it is important to seek the optimal process parameters, considering the greater efficiency. The equipment used is a co-rotating twin-screw extruder and it is widely used to extrude temperature-sensitive materials. During the extrusion, physical and chemical modifications occur within the material due to the thermal and mechanical treatment that it suffers (reactive extrusion). Therefore, for modeling, the extruder is considered a reactor in which differential balance equations of mass, momentum, and energy will be developed to describe the process properly. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) will be used to simulate the process and define the ideal temperature profile in the sections after the material changes its state to a fluid. In addition, a crucial step will be the determination of residence time and material rheology parameters (the apparent viscosity of the fluid and the specific mechanical energy in the process) to better understand the fluid behavior considering the temperature changes during the process and to adjust the model with experimental data. Furthermore, it will be executed a step to validate the model, in which extrusion tests will be performed with the material, aiming the scale-up of the production. Finally, qualitative and quantitative analyses will be done on the extruded material. (AU)

Scientific publications

(5)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

LA FUENTE, CARLA I. A.; SIQUEIRA, LARISSA DO VAL; DUARTE AUGUSTO, PEDRO ESTEVES; TADINI, CARMEN C.. Casting and extrusion processes to produce bio-based plastics using cassava starch modified by the dry heat treatment (DHT). INNOVATIVE FOOD SCIENCE & EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES, v. 75, JAN 2022. (16/12385-2, 17/05307-8, 19/21700-7)

MANIGLIA, BIANCA CHIEREGATO; ARIAS LA FUENTE, CARLA IVONNE; SIQUEIRA, LARISSA DO VAL; TADINI, CARMEN CECILIA. Carbohydrate Nanomaterials Addition to Starch-Based Packaging: A Review about Fundamentals and Application. STARCH-STÄRKE, v. 73, n. 11-12, SI, JUL 2021. (19/21700-7, 17/05307-8, 20/08727-0, 13/07914-8, 21/05947-2)

LA FUENTE, CARLA I. A.; DO VAL SIQUEIRA, LARISSA; AUGUSTO, PEDRO ESTEVES DUARTE; TADINI, CARMEN C.. Bio-Based Plastic Based on Ozonated Cassava Starch Produced by Extrusion. JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT, v. N/A, p. 11-pg., 2022-06-09. (17/05307-8, 19/21700-7, 16/12385-2)

SANTOS, PRISCILA DAYANE DE FREITAS; SIQUEIRA, LARISSA DO VAL; TADINI, CARMEN CECILIA; FAVARO-TRINDADE, CARMEN SILVIA. Characterization of Cassava Starch Extruded Sheets Incorporated with Tucuma Oil Microparticles. PROCESSES, v. 11, n. 3, p. 15-pg., 2023-03-01. (19/21700-7, 16/12385-2)

SIQUEIRA, LARISSA DO VAL; ARIAS, CARLA IVONNE LA FUENTE; MANIGLIA, BIANCA CHIEREGATO; TADINI, CARMEN CECILIA. Starch-based biodegradable plastics: methods of production, challenges and future perspectives. CURRENT OPINION IN FOOD SCIENCE, v. 38, p. 9-pg., 2021-04-01. (17/05307-8, 19/21700-7, 13/07914-8)