2013 AIChE Annual Meeting

(298f) Operation and Optimization of Seeded Batch Crystallization When Crystal Growth Rate Is Size-Dependent

Authors

Wang, H. Y. - Presenter, National Taiwan University
Ting, W. L., University of Houston
Ward, J. D., National Taiwan University



In this work, the operation and optimization of seeded batch crystallization processes is investigated when crystal growth rate is size-dependent using a dimensionless model1 and model reported in the literature for the crystallization of potassium alum.2 Many of the results are qualitatively similar to the case when growth rate is size independent: The seed mass and average seed size affect the results in a similar way. An approximate analytical trajectory that works well for size-independent growth also works well when the growth rate is size dependent. The optimal supersaturation trajectory is qualitatively similar to the case when growth rate is size independent. Finally, we show that an approximate, size-independent model can be used to determine the optimal supersaturation trajectory with little error. This is advantageous because optimizing the size-independent model requires much less computational effort.

References

  1. Ward JD, Yu CC, Doherty MF. A New Framework and a Simpler Method for the Development of Batch Crystallization Recipes. Aiche J. 2011;57(3):606-617.

  2. Tai CY, Lu EL, Yu KH. Determination of Secondary Nucleation Kinetics Using a Batch Crystallizer. J. Chin. I. Ch. E. 1991;22(4):231-239.