Simulation of reactive precipitation processes using the network-of-zones model

Abstract

A 2-D network-of-zones model is extended and applied to a reactive precipitation process in batch mode. The simulations are performed for a network of size 2×(10×10) for an elementary reaction through the solution of 1400 ODEs. The complicated interactions between mixing efficacy and the system kinetics are systematically investigated. When the stirrer speed is very slow, the crystal size distribution (CSD) of the product in the precipitator is determined by the intensity of mixing. Conversely, at higher stirrer speed, the CSD is controlled by the system kinetics. More effective mixing leads to an increase in the number of crystals, a reduction of the average size and a narrower crystal size distribution. The extended network-of-zones model presented in this work can be used conveniently for integrating computational fluid dynamics and reactive precipitation processes.