Operating Strategy for Continuous Multistage Mixed Suspension and Mixed Product Removal (MSMPR) Crystallization Processes Depending on Crystallization Kinetic Parameters

Abstract

Continuous multistage mixed suspension and mixed product removal (MSMPR) crystallization processes are useful for the large-scale production of particulate systems. However, the design of operating strategies to meet specific objectives and materials has not been completely investigated. In this work, the effect of important crystallization kinetic parameters on the optimal operating strategy was examined. The important parameters are the kinetic constants of the primary and secondary nucleation rates, the orders of the nucleation and growth rates, and the number of crystallizer stages. The analyses revealed that a drastic cooling strategy in the primary nucleation dominant region and linear cooling in the secondary nucleation dominant region are best for producing large particle sizes. A stage number of ∼3 is effective in both regions. These results can be utilized to roughly determine the operating strategy for a process, if the crystallization kinetic parameters are already roughly known.