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ChE-06 (A)
Hanan Zulfiqar
[TYPES OF CRYSTALLIZERS]
Submitted to : Mr. Waqas Anjum
I . ABSTRACT
In this excerpt, we shall be discussing about crystallizers utilized on an
industrial scale to achieve crystals from solutions. Moreover, we will be
elaborating on why different types of crystallizers exist rather than having just
a single crystallizer. The applications will also be touched on.
A. Non-Agitated Vessels
This particular crystallizer consists of an open tank used for crystallization. The
feed is a hot solution. After entering the tank, it loses heat to the atmosphere
and to the cooling jackets causing it to cool. Thus, resulting in crystal
formation. Metallic rods could also be suspended in the cooling solution to
enhance the rate of crystallization by giving the molecules a surface to
crystallize on.
The pros of having such a type of crystallizer is that it's simple and relatively
easy to construct. However, the labor costs are high and the throughput is
relatively small compared to the feed.
C. Scraped-Surface
In the crystallizer a semi cylindrical trough is used as a means to store the
solution. The trough is at an angle downwards to the ground to allow for a
natural movement of solution through the trough. Moreover, to improvise a
scraper is installed that keeps the trough clean by scraping off crystals. It is
helically shaped to also improve the movement of the solution.
III. Evaporating
Evaporating crystallizers are extremely efficient for substances that don't show
a decline in solubility after reducing the temperature or cooling the solution.
So a better crystallization method for such feed would be to evaporate the
solvent in the solution.
Multi-effect evaporators could be used to increase purity and throughput.
They are operated on low pressures to keep the integrity of the product when
heated.
One of the major uses of such crystallizers is the production if common salt in
food industry.
IV. Vacuum
A vacuum crystallizer works more or less on the same operational
requirements as the evaporating crystallizers. On the contrary, they have an
additional concept that is added to improve crystallization and that is adiabatic
cooling. For this to work, the feed should have a higher temperature when
compared to the temperature in the vessel.
Vacuum crystallizers show up in almost every major industry. For instance,
Pharmaceutical industries to allow for sensitive materials to be crystallized.
V. Forced-circulation
Forced-circulation is a continuous type crystallizer. It greatly reduces the
encrustations by increasing the re-circulating rate of the magma crystals
through a heat exchanger. Thus, also cooling down the magma crystals and
encouraging crystal growth. The feed is pumped to a vessel that has a reduced
pressure to increase nuclei formation and crystal growth.
It is widely used in the manufacture of organic polymers.