Attrition

Process that removes fines and asperities from the surface of parent
crystals, its the major cause of secondary crystallization. The linear
mechanical attrition rate of a crystal is inversely proportional to the
kinetic growth rate therefore we can create a constant, the effective
growth rate a range to maximize growth.
Geff =GGa
Where:
Geff =effective rate
Ga=mechanicalattrition rate

dL
dt

G=crystal growthrate
When a stirrer rotates in suspension attrition by the stirrer is a
function of dynamic pressure, which increases the circumferential
velocity of the stirrer, which is controlled by the tip, and the density
of the particle. Previous models assume that the attrition rate is
proportion to the square of the contact energy and crystal density
therefore the collision frequency of crystals with rotor in stirred
suspension is approximately proportional to the circulated
volumetric flow of the suspension therefore the stirrer speed.
Moreover when designing the crystallizer the mean attrition rate is
proportional to the mean power input for a certain crystals
volumetric hold up.
Giving:
dVa
=Ga A w2col s c
dt
Attrition and breakage of crystals
Assuming a single crystal of size L, that sinks in solution with a
density L, where the = c-L represting the density difference
between crystal and solution. Volumetric energy must be transferred
from the liquid to the particle in order to compensate for the loss of
Lg pf potential energy leading to:

( V ' eff ) =2 L g
2

L
In a system with rotors the fluctuating velocity is proportional to the
tip speed of the rotor, therefore the tip speed must be increased as
the crystal size increases and the density difference this is very
important in order to avoid settling of particles within the
gravitational field leading to blockage of the crystallizer.
The target efficiency depends on the stokes number. The intensity
and frequency of the crystal rotor collisions depend on:

Geometric parameters: volume of crystallizer, tank diameter,

diameter of rotor, number of blades
Operating parameters: speed, pump capacity of rotor
Physical properties: size of particles, density and viscosity

Given that in a crystallizer the largest crystal is the parent crystal

the target efficiency must be met against the crystal size, the
following graph shows the relationship between

Impact
attrition
CSD

of
on

The attrition of crystals have a strong influence on median size and

CSD, the final size and distribution can be controlled by:

Supersaturation when attrition rates of crytsals are small for a

given growth period e.g. fluidized beds
Attrition when large crystals at low supersaturation are
produced in crystallizer equipped with a high-speed rotor
which leads to high collision velocities
The ratio G/Ga of the kinetic growth rate determines the
crystal size, previously shows that the largest crystals are
most prone to attrition. The volumetric attrition rate is given
by:
dVa
= Ga L2 par
dt 2
re-arranging
Ga=

2LpardVa
Vadt

the total volumetric attrition rate based on the volume of

suspension of all parent crystals is

d V a ,t
V sus T dt

= (Ga)/(2Lpar)

a simple model can be presented that allows attrition rate

which reduces size of crystals to be evaluated, if we consider
one crystal after one collision with a rotor which has the speed
s and the tip speed utip, this volume given by:
Va=C

L3
c w2 col
2

2Hv
C=
3

(23 )

4
3

( K )

The linear attrition rate Ga is the volumetric attrition rate

divided by the surface of the parent crystal.
Va
Ga=2
L2 par
the frequency of collisions is proportional to the stirring speed,
multiplied by a target efficiency which depends on the
thickness, breadth and angle of inclination of stirrer blades.