Population balance method

When solid particles are subject to noncatalytic reactions, the effects of the reaction on individual particles are derived and then the results are averaged to determine overall properties. The general techniques for this averaging are called population balance methods. They are important in mass transfer operations such as crystallization, drop coagulation, and drop breakup. Chapter 15 uses these methods to analyze the distribution of residence times in flow systems. The following example shows how the methods can be applied to a collection of solid particles undergoing a consumptive surface reaction. 

RTD problem in variable regimes can be dealt with as special cases of the population balance method (56). 

Modeling Thermal Degradation of Polymers by Population Balance Methods... 

General Concepts of Discrete Population Balance Methods.483... 

Although population balance methods are relatively undeveloped for interesting polymers, the author believes they have great potential. Each of the four distinct thermal degradation mechanisms mentioned earlier will be analyzed in detail and examples involving specific polymers will be discussed wherever possible. Furthermore, some relevant combinations of mechanisms (such as combined random scission and end-chain scission) will also be discussed. 

GENERAL CONCEPTS OF DISCRETE POPULATION BALANCE METHODS... 

The transport equation for the bubble number density distribution can be derived by use of the population balance method ... 

The usual population balance methods are used to derive this equation thus entry into an particle creates an N - particle, and so on note in particular that transfer occurs with a rate coefficient of since / is that for transfer of a single free radical, and we here have two distinguishing free radicals. 

An example of the use of the population balance method to predict reaction in particulate systems is presented in the work of Min and Ray (M16, M17). The authors developed a computational algorithm for a batch emulsion polymerization reactor. The model combines general balances, individual particle balances, and particle size distribution balances. The individual particle balances were formulated using the population balance... 

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