Crystallization in Fluidized Bed Reactors: From Fundamental Knowledge to Full-Scale Applications

Abstract

A review is presented on fifty years of research on crystallization in fluidized bed reactors (FBRs). FBRs are suitable for recovery of slightly soluble compounds from aqueous solutions, as it yields large, millimeter sized particles, which are suitable for reuse and permits low liquid residence times in the timescale of minutes. Full-scale applications for water softening have been applied since the 1980s, and since then, new applications have been developed or are in development for recovery of phosphorus, magnesium, fluoride, metals, sulfate, and boron. Process integration with membrane, adsorption, and biological processes have led to improved processes and environmental indicators. Recently, novel FBR concepts have been proposed, such as the aerated FBR for chemical-free precipitation of calcium carbonate, the seedless FBR to yield pure particulate products, a circulating FBR for economic recovery and extended use of seeds, as well as coupled FBRs for separation of chiral compounds and FBRs in precipitation with supercritical fluids. Advances are reported in the understanding of elementary phenomena in FBRs and on mathematical models for fluid dynamics, precipitation kinetics, and FBR systems. Their role is highlighted for process understanding, optimization and control at bench to full-scale. Future challenges are discussed.