Simulation and control of nanoparticle size distribution in a high temperature reactor

This work focuses on the modeling, simulation and control of particle size distribution (PSD) during nanoparticle growth with the simultaneous chemical reaction, nucleation, condensation, coagulation and convective transport in a high temperature reactor. Firstly, a model known as population balance model was derived. This model describes the formation of particles via nucleation and growth. Mass and energy balances in the reactor were presented in order to study the effect of particle size distribution for each reaction mechanisms on the reactor dynamics, as well as the evolution of the concentrations of species and temperature of the continuous phase. The models were simulated to see whether the reduced population balance can be used to control the particle size distribution in the high temperature reactor. The simulation results from the above model demonstrated that the reduced population balance can be effectively used to control the PSD. The proposed method "which is the application of reduced population balance model" shows that there is some dependence of the average particle diameter on the wall temperature and the model can thus be used as a basis to synthesize a feedback controller where the manipulated variable is the wall temperature of the reactor and the control variable is the average particle diameter at the outlet of the reactor. The influence of disturbances on the average particle diameter was investigated and controlled to its new desired set point which is 1400nm using the proportional-integral-derivative controllers (PID controllers). The proposed model was used to control nanoparticle size distribution at the outlet of the reactor.