Incorporation of Aggregate Breakup in the Simulation of Orthokinetic Coagulation.

The agglomeration and breakup of floc aggregates formed in orthokinetic coagulation is examined. By considering local flow strain-rate, a breakup rate kernel is derived based on flow-induced normal stresses. The new breakup kernel is included in a population size class balance for floc aggregates. The resulting population balance was solved numerically over a wide range of parameters to obtain a variety of floc size distributions. Results indicate that the inclusion of a breakup kernel in orthokinetic coagulation modeling eliminates the computational growth to a maximum size class, producing more realistic distributions. The breakup kernel was rigorously compared to prior research and found to be consistent with the earlier theories of coagulation agglomeration and breakup. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.