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

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

S.C. Galbraith and P.A. Schneider
Chemical Engineering Journal, Vol.240, pp.124-132
2014
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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.

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#6 Clean Water and Sanitation

Source: InCites

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Citation topics
3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
3.83 Bioengineering
3.83.2268 Struvite
Web Of Science research areas
Engineering, Chemical
Engineering, Environmental
ESI research areas
Engineering
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