Stochastic-deterministic population balance modeling and simulation of a fluidized bed crystallizer experiment. (23rd November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bartsch, Clemens; Wiedmeyer, Viktoria; Lakdawala, Zahra; Patterson, Robert I.A.; Voigt, Andreas; Sundmacher, Kai; John, Volker
• Is Part Of: Chemical engineering science. Volume 208(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-11-23
• Subjects: Fluidized bed crystallizer -- Potassium aluminum sulfate dodecahydrate -- Agglomeration -- Population balance system -- Stochastic-deterministic simulation method -- Size separation; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Génie chimique -- Périodiques; Chemical engineering; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 660
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2019.07.020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-2509

Abstract

Highlights: Experiments reveal the importance of agglomeration. Most crystals are located at lower positions of the fluidized bed crystallizer. Stochastic-deterministic method is extended by turbulence and particle sedimentation. The average crystal size evolution agrees well in experiments and simulations. In simulations, crystals separate by size in different heights of the FBC. Abstract: The crystallization of potassium aluminum sulfate dodecahydrate (potash alum) in a fluidized bed crystallizer is studied both with experiments and simulations. A population balance system with three spatial coordinates and one internal coordinate (mass) is utilized as our model. The simulations are performed with a stochastic-deterministic method with novel extensions, where the fluid dynamics of the crystallizer (flow field, temperature, concentration) are solved deterministically and the particles are simulated with a stochastic method. In experiments of 30 min duration, the average crystal diameter increases by growth and agglomeration from about 130 μm to 210 μm. This observation agrees qualitatively well with our simulation results. A quantitative difference between simulation and experiment leaves room for future improvements in modeling.