Abstract
A novel design for continuous flow sonocrystallization of adipic acid in a capillary device is presented and investigated experimentally and numerically. The effect of supersaturation and ultrasound power is studied. To elucidate the relationship between crystallization and cavitation, sonochemiluminescence and sonoemulsification experiments are performed, and numerical investigation of the wave propagation in aqueous solution is used to predict the probability of cavitation. Crystal size distribution at different operating conditions is obtained by laser diffraction. Narrow size distributions, small mean size of crystals (ca. 15 μm), and high crystal production rate are achieved when applying ultrasound. In addition, numerical simulations of pressure distribution show that high pressure amplitudes are obtainable near the vicinity of the sonoprobe tip. Using a cavitation threshold formulation, the distance from the tip where transient cavitation takes place is quantified. The results are in agreement with...
Highlights
Reproducible and narrow crystal size distributions (CSDs), as well as small mean crystal sizes, are desirable characteristics in the production of crystalline materials
It is concluded that transient cavitation of bubbles is a significant mechanism for enhancing nucleation of crystals among the several proposed in the literature
As a slight scattering in the CSD results was observed for each of the six supersaturations investigated, for each case we report the average result based on the three experimental values found
Summary
Reproducible and narrow crystal size distributions (CSDs), as well as small mean crystal sizes, are desirable characteristics in the production of crystalline materials. Continuous crystallization is an attractive solution because of the smaller volumes required, the lower operating and labor costs, and the greater product reproducibility.[2] In batch systems, process parameters such as temperature and concentration crucial in cooling-driven crystallization may not be uniform. One of the most undesired consequences of the heterogeneous distribution of temperature and concentration within the reactor is the broad size distribution of the crystals.[2] For this reason, recently there has been an increased interest in the development of novel crystallization methods In this regard, microfluidic devices offer great potential in delivering chemical compounds of higher quality. By using disperse-phase droplets as individual reactors, it is possible to confine the solid product inside the droplets, thereby keeping it away from the walls of the channel, avoiding its occlusion.[7]
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