Mathematical modeling of high-pressure oil-splitting reactor using a reduced population balance model

▸ We modeled a high-pressure oil splitting reactor using reduced population balances. ▸ Simultaneous first-order chemical reaction and extraction are included. ▸ Hyperbolicity of the model is analyzed to develop a finite volume method with flux vector splitting. ▸ Reaction is found as controlling mechanism at low operating temperature (225 °C). ▸ Mean droplet size affects both reactor hydrodynamics and mass transfer performance.