Taylor series expansion scheme applied for solving population balance equation

Abstract

Abstract Population balance equations (PBE) are widely applied to describe many physicochemical processes such as nanoparticle synthesis, chemical processes for particulates, colloid gel, aerosol dynamics, and disease progression. The numerical study for solving the PBE, i.e. population balance modeling, is undergoing rapid development. In this review, the application of the Taylor series expansion scheme in solving the PBE was discussed. The theories, implement criteria, and applications are presented here in a universal form for ease of use. The aforementioned method is mathematically economical and applicable to the combination of fine-particle physicochemical processes and can be used to numerically and pseudo-analytically describe the time evolution of statistical parameters governed by the PBE. This article summarizes the principal details of the method and discusses its application to engineering problems. Four key issues relevant to this method, namely, the optimization of type of moment sequence, selection of Taylor series expansion point, optimization of an order of Taylor series expansion, and selection of terms for Taylor series expansion, are emphasized. The possible direction for the development of this method and its advantages and shortcomings are also discussed.