Application of the Method of Characteristics to Population Balance Models Considering Growth and Nucleation Phenomena

Shahzadi Mubeen ur  Rehman; Shamsul  Qamar

doi:10.4236/am.2014.513178

Shahzadi Mubeen ur Rehman, Shamsul Qamar^*

Abstract: The population balance modeling is regarded as a universally accepted mathematical framework for dynamic simulation of various particulate processes, such as crystallization, granulation and polymerization. This article is concerned with the application of the method of characteristics (MOC) for solving population balance models describing batch crystallization process. The growth and nucleation are considered as dominant phenomena, while the breakage and aggregation are neglected. The numerical solutions of such PBEs require high order accuracy due to the occurrence of steep moving fronts and narrow peaks in the solutions. The MOC has been found to be a very effective technique for resolving sharp discontinuities. Different case studies are carried out to analyze the accuracy of proposed algorithm. For validation, the results of MOC are compared with the available analytical solutions and the results of finite volume schemes. The results of MOC were found to be in good agreement with analytical solutions and superior than those obtained by finite volume schemes.

Keywords: Population Balance Modeling, Batch Crystallization, Method of Characteristics, Nucleation and Growth

Cite this paper: Rehman, S. and Qamar, S. (2014) Application of the Method of Characteristics to Population Balance Models Considering Growth and Nucleation Phenomena. Applied Mathematics, 5, 1853-1862. doi: 10.4236/am.2014.513178.

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