Estimation of crystal size distribution based on two dimensional characteristics: an exploration using artificial images

Abstract

Image analysis based crystal size distribution (CSD) estimation can be very useful in the monitoring and control of crystallization process. Estimation of CSD from particle vision and measurement images is based on the characteristic length of the crystal particle alone. The estimation of the crystal width along with the length can improve the identification of the size and shape of crystals. The current work is an extended version of our multi-objective optimization based image analysis methodology, which measured only the characteristic length. In this work, we include the estimation of the crystal width as well. Also, the previous work was based on the assumption that the crystal particles align parallel to the surface of the solution due to the shear force, which will hold good only in ideal situations. Therefore, in this work, the effect of particle orientation along the depth of the solution on CSD estimation is studied. A modification factor has been proposed for particle orientation less than 10° so that a more accurate CSD can be estimated.