Effect of sulphate(VI) ions on CSD of struvite - Neural network model of continuous reaction crystallization process in a DT MSMPR crystallizer

Complex effect of sulphate(VI) ions on the continuous struvite (MgNH ₄PO₄ 6H₂O, MAP) reaction crystallization process kinetics in DT MSMPR crystallizer and its final results was modeled numerically using artificial neural networks. Network was used as a multidimensional correlation between selected technological control process parameters (three inputs representing [SO₄ ^2-]RM: 0.05 - 1.0 mass %, pH: 9-11 and mean residence time: 900 - 3600 s) and 43 size-channels of struvite product CSD (43 outputs corresponding to L within the 5.0 10 ^-7-1.8 10^-4 m range). Network model reproduces experimental, nonlinear lnn(L) data correctly and accurately. Presenting CSD in a form of population density distribution lnn(L) made direct theoretical insight and identification of potential various kinetic mechanisms dominating for required <[SO₄ ^2-]RM, pH, τ< vectors in various L ranges possible.