Coupled population balance-CFD modelling of a continuous precipitation reactor

Precipitation of amorphous calcium phosphate in a Y-mixer-tubular reactor device is investigated using a population balance equation including nucleation, growth and agglomeration of particles and a three-dimensional CFD flow model. The population balance equation is reduced into a moment equations system the quadrature form of which is coupled with the detailed CFD model. Simulation results obtained by the detailed CFD flow model provided results comparable to those produced by assuming ideal mixing conditions. This comparison reveals that under the given process conditions of precipitation of amorphous calcium phosphate application of a simple ideal mixing model, for instance in controlling such processes can be justified.