Comparison of analytical solutions for cmsmpr crystallizer with QMOM population balance modeling in fluent

Abstract

Fluent version 6.2 computational fluid dynamics environment has been enhanced with a population balance capability that operates in conjunction with its multiphase calculations to predict the particle size distribution within the flow field. The population balance is solved by the quadrature method of moments (QMOM). Fluent's prediction capabilities are tested by using a 2-dimensional analogy of a constantly stirred tank reactor with a fluid flow compartment that mixes the fluid quickly and efficiently using wall movement and has a feed stream and a product stream. The results of these Fluent simulations using QMOM population balance solver are compared to steady state analytical solutions for the population balance in a stirred tank where 1) growth, 2) aggregation, and 3) breakage, take place separately and 4) combined nucleation and growth and 5) combined nucleation, growth and aggregation take place. The results of these comparisons show that the moments of the population balance are accurately predicted for nucleation, growth, aggregation and breakage when the flow field is turbulent. With laminar flow the mixing is not ideal and as a result the steady state well mixed solutions are not accurately simulated.