Abstract
The production of boric acid through reaction of borax crystals with propionic acid was investigated in batch mode. It was found that the product boric acid precipitates on the solid borax reactant. An increase in the coefficient of variation of feed crystals resulted in an increase in the time of completion of the reaction. A sharp interface model with variable bulk fluid concentration of liquid reactant was developed for simulation of the process. The analytical solution of the series of rate equations involving liquid film, solid boric acid layer and chemical reaction resistances was obtained, and a new method for simultaneous determination of kinetic parameters was established. The chemical reaction and diffusion through the solid layer of boric acid were the rate controlling mechanisms. A numerical algorithm was also developed for predicting the fractional conversion of multisize borax crystals using the mono size kinetic parameters determined according to the proposed analytical method.
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ZareNezhad, B. Direct production of crystalline boric acid through heterogeneous reaction of solid borax with propionic acid: Operation and simulation. Korean J. Chem. Eng. 21, 956–962 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02705577
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02705577