A discrete-sectional model for particle growth in aerosol reactor: Application to titania particles

A one-dimensional discrete-sectional model has been developed to simulate particle growth in aerosol reactors. Two sets of differential equations for volume and surface area, respectively, were solved simultaneously to determine the size distributions of agglomerates and primary particles. The surface area equations were derived in such a way that the coagulation integrals calculated for the volume equations could be used for the surface area equations as well, which is new in this model. The model was applied to a production of TiO₂ particles by oxidation of titanium tetrachloride. Model predictions were compared with experimental data and those of a two-dimensional sectional model. Good agreement was shown in calculated particle size distributions between the present model and the two-dimensional model, which is more rigorous but demands a large amount of computer time and memory. Compared to experimental data, the primary particle size calculated by the model was more sensitive to the variation of reactor temperature.