Modelling and simulation of inorganic precipitation with nucleation, crystal growth and aggregation: A new approach to an old method

Galbraith, S.C. and Schneider, P.A. (2014) Modelling and simulation of inorganic precipitation with nucleation, crystal growth and aggregation: A new approach to an old method. Chemical Engineering Journal, 240 . pp. 124-132.

Abstract

A process model is developed to simulate the recovery of inorganic mineral phosphates through precipitation, incorporating nucleation, crystal growth and aggregation mechanisms. The model includes a detailed description of solution thermodynamics, nucleation, growth and aggregation kinetics, a population balance and dynamic mass conservation. A discretised population balance (DPB) is used to describe changes to the particle size distribution (PSD) caused by nucleation, growth and aggregation. A sigmoid function is incorporated into the DPB to produce a better description of small-particle dynamics. The model is applied in the context of nutrient removal and recovery, with specific focus on a recovery pathway for phosphorus based on chemical precipitation. The model is used here to simulate a mixed suspension, mixed product removal (MSMPR) reactor and explore the relationship between operating conditions and thermodynamics. A validation for the solution thermodynamics portion of the model is also performed and the model is found to successfully predict solution pH.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publisher:	Elsevier
Copyright:	© 2013 Elsevier B.V.
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/38214

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