Preprint 78 published
Preprint 78, "Statistical approximation of the inverse problem in multivariate population balance modelling", has been published on the CoMo Group website.
This paper deals with the estimation of model parameters and their uncertainties
encountered in granulation modelling. A multivariate, detailed population balance
model of a high shear granulation process is locally approximated by first and second
order response surfaces, allowing a fast computation of the model response. The
response surfaces are used in three different objective functions—moment matching,
expected least squares and expected weighted least squares—in order to estimate
ranges for the rate constants for particle coalescence, particle compaction, particle
breakage, and reaction, which appear as free parameters in the granulation model.
Firstly, second order response surfaces for the population balance model are constructed
and used as approximation of the model in the objective functions for the
numerical solution of the inverse problem. Secondly, the choice of objective function
is investigated. It is found that the uncertainties of the model predictions differ
for the three objective functions only slightly. The estimates for the intervals of the
model parameters either overlap or are very close. However, the moment matching
objective function is recommended because the number of estimated parameters and
experimental data sets can be chosen independently.


