On the stability of coagulation--fragmentation population balances

Abstract

When coagulation and fragmentation both occur in a system, the competition between these processes may lead to a steady-state size distribution. We consider some specific moment solutions to a generalized coagulation-fragmentation population balance equation (in which multiple breakup is allowed) in order to determine when it is may be possible for such steady states to exist. Steady states occur for systems with homogeneous rate kernels of order [beta] (fragmentation) and [lambda] (coagulation) that satisfy [beta] - [lambda] + 1 > 0. Finally, we discuss the applicability of scaling to this generalized coagulation-fragmentation population balance.