Numerical simulations of two-component granulation: Comparison of three methods

We compare three numerical methodologies for the solution of the population balance in two-component granulation. These methods are (a) direct solution of the discrete bicomponent aggregation equation; (b) constant-number Monte Carlo (cNMC); and (c) direct quadrature method of moments (DQMOM). We apply these methodologies to bicomponent aggregation with a kernel that depends both on size and composition using various initial conditions. We find that the cNMC method is in excellent agreement with the direct discrete solution in all cases. The DQMOM method is highly accurate when the kernel is independent of composition. With kernels that depend on the composition of granules, the accuracy of DQMOM drops and appears to be sensitive to the details of the seed distribution.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (109 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ Constant number Monte Carlo accurately captures the evolution of a bicomponent population of particles undergoing aggregation. ▶ The rigorous discrete population balance equation provides exact solutions but only at the early stages of aggregation. ▶ The direct quadrature method of moments (DQMOM) is generally accurate but under some combinations of kernels and initial conditions its accuracy suffers.