CFD Simulation of Nanosufur Crystallization Incorporating Population Balance Modeling

A physical vapor condensation process for synthesizing nanosized sulfur powder as a precursor for various industries was simulated by the use of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling. The phase change,swirl flow and heat transfer taking place inside the cyclone are analyzed along with particle formation via gascondensation method. The population balance model is a mathematical framework for the modeling of crystal size distribution (CSD) and the study of gas-phase changes leading to nucleation of the first solid particles. In this paper the Direct Quadrature Method of Moments is used for solving the transport equations of the moments of the size distribution. The temperature, velocity and particle size distribution ranges inside the cyclone were computed. The results show the formation of nanosulfur particles in 1-7 nm range.