Analysis of ice crystallization in continuous crystallizers based on a particle size-dependent growth rate model

Abstract

To predict the ice crystal size distribution in MSMPR type crystallizers easily, the population balance equation with respect to the crystal size was solved under steady state conditions with a size-dependent growth rate model, that is G = g −1/ r + g 0. The kinetic parameters g −1 and g 0 obtained from the measurement of crystal size distribution in a dextran solution were consistent with those estimated by assuming that the growth process of ice crystals is governed by heat transfer process. We confirmed that the kinetic parameter β, determined from experiments in a batch crystallizer, can be adopted as the parameter for the nucleation rate per crystal in an MSMPR type crystallizer.