The axial dispersion of liquid solutions and solid suspensions in planar oscillatory flow crystallizers

The planar oscillatory flow crystallizer (planar-OFC) was designed with a rectangular cross-section to improve the flow and suspension of solids of conventional OFCs. Residence time distribution experiments with liquid and solid tracers were performed to assess the effect of the net flow rate, Q, the frequency, f, and the amplitude of oscillation, x(0), on the axial dispersion of liquids, DaxL, and solids, DaxS, in three planar-OFCs with different geometries. It was found that Q and f have in general positive effects on DaxL and DaxS, and x(0) has negative effects. Furthermore, identical values of DaxL and DaxS were obtained in each crystallizer. It was also found that the interaction between Q and x(0) is the most significant one in all systems. These results show that the three crystallizers have similar axial dispersion performances with liquids and solids. This is of paramount importance for multiphase systems such as crystallization.