GUIDELINES FOR SELECTING A CRYSTALLIZER.

Crystallization from solution is a common method either for purification and separation or for achieving a desirable particle size. Successful design of crystallization equipment depends largley on detailed experiments conducted with the particular material under consideration. In recent years, considerable research has sought to better relate the fundamentals of crystal nucleation and growth to process constraints. The results provide a theoretical basis for designing process configurations. In the past, design has been largely on an empirical basis. In this paper the author reviews some of the basic concepts that govern crystallization from solution, and relate these to crystallizer design, with examples of currently used equipment. New mathematical models for crystal mass distribution are described. This articlke shows how to use these equations to predict the performance of some common crystallizer types, both batch and continuous.