PBE Modeling of Flocculation of Microalgae: Investigating the Overshoot in Mean Size Profiles

The flocculation process is modeled as an aggregation-breakup system by using population balance equations (PBEs). The primary results show that the aggregation and breakup alone cannot lead to the overshoot in the mean size profile. Thus, we suggested three mechanisms that can lead to the overshoot: deposition of large clusters (DLC), restructuring of clusters (RC), and primary particle aggregation (PPA). These mechanisms were examined with numerical simulations and it was revealed that all three lead to the overshoot.