Numerical simulation of flow and mass transfer during growth of the long seed KDP crystals under 2D translation method

Abstract

A novel motion method, namely, the two-dimensional translation method (2D TM) had been proposed by our team to effectively utilize convection to enhance morphological stability and mass transfer. To evaluate this new method and apply it to the long seed KDP crystals growth, numerical simulations on the hydrodynamics and mass transfer involved in the growth of the long seed KDP crystals through this new method have been performed. Comparisons with the rotating crystal method (RCM) indicates that 2D TM improves the value and distribution homogeneity of the surface supersaturation. As the translational velocity increases, the value of the surface supersaturation on the prismatic faces increases. However, as the translational distance becomes long, there is a decrease in the value of the prismatic surface supersaturation, but the homogeneity of the surface supersaturation is improved. Moreover, the increase of the crystal size not only reduces the value of the surface supersaturation on the prismatic faces, but also degrades the homogeneity of the surface supersaturation. A further improvement in the magnitude and distribution homogeneity of the prismatic face supersaturation can be observed through modifying the crystal mounting method.