Crystallization of calcium sulphate hemihydrate in concentrated phosphoric acid solutions

We aim to show the existence of agglomeration by measuring and modelling secondary nucleation and crystal growth rates of calcium sulphate hemihydrate, CaSO4-0.5 H2O, in concentrated phosphoric acid solutions, Using a batch crystallizer we measured the evolution of the population density as a function of supersaturation, H2SO4 excess and stirring rates. All experiments were carried out at 90 degrees C in solutions at 40 wt.% of P2O5, simulating the usual conditions for crystallizing hemihydrate in the industrial processes of phosphoric acid production. Nucleation and growth rates were calculated from the population number densities, using the moments analysis method. A model is presented for describing the crystallization process of hemihydrate. It is shown that secondary nucleation and growth rates are quadratic functions of supersaturation. H2SO4 concentrations affect supersaturation but at the same supersaturation the growth rates are not significantly different. Nucleation is independent of the stirring rate, whereas growth rates are slightly affected for stirring rates up to 500 rpm. Taking agglomeration into account, the moments method fits very well the experimental data. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.