Application of genetic algorithm for determination of mass transfer coefficients

The mass transfer coefficient, k_d, surface reaction constant, k_r, and reaction rate order, r, have been calculated by applying the genetic algorithm analysis. This analysis provides the parameter estimations as new data are recorded and consequently yields the time variability of the parameters. In this study, the application of the genetic algorithm procedure is presented for determining the coefficients and their relative standard deviation. The relative standard deviation does not exceed 0.9% taking into account the crystal growth rate, R_g calculated from the equation R_g = k_r(ΔC-R_g/k_d)^r and the one experimentally obtained and represented by the equation R_g = k_g(ΔC)^g, where k_r is the rate constant for the surface reaction, k_d is the mass transfer coefficient, r is the reaction order, k_g is the overall crystal growth rate constant, ΔC is the supersaturation and g is the overall crystal growth rate order. This new proposed method is compared with the previous methods for the cases of growth of NiSO₄ and CuSO₄·5H₂O crystals in a fluidized bed crystallizer.