Chapter 8 Crystallization

CL 321
Kaustubh Rane

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 Crystallization examples

1. An MSMPR crystallizer of 5 𝑚3 working volume produces crystals of

mass average particle size 1.0 mm. If the product stream is withdrawn at
a rate of 4𝑚3 /ℎ, calculate the crystal growth rate and the rate of
secondary nucleation 𝐵𝑜 . The magma density is 150𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 , and the true
density of the crystals is 1900𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 . The volume shape factor is 0.6.

2. An MSMPR crystallizer yields crystals of population mean size of

0.8𝑚𝑚 when a holding time of 1.8 ℎ is maintained. The working volume
of the equipment is 5 𝑚3 , and the suspension density is 150𝑘𝑔 crystals
per cubic meter. The crystals have a density of 𝜌𝑐 = 2500𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 and
the volume shape factor of 𝜙𝑣 = 0.65. What is the production rate of
crystals? Calculate the secondary nucleation rate 𝐵𝑜 , and the zero-size
population density 𝑛𝑜 . Also calculate the number of crystals smaller than
0.2𝑚𝑚 in the product.
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 Crystallization example 3
(a) A 4 liter laboratory MSMPR crystallizer receives a solution of potash alum at the
rate of 8 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟/ℎ. 100 grams of the product crystals (volume shape factor, 𝜙𝑣 = 0.471)
is sieve analysed to obtain the mass in different size ranges as given below. The true
density of solid is 𝜌𝑐 = 1170 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 , and a suspension density of 142g crystals per
liter is maintained. Determine the rate of secondary nucleation 𝐵𝑜 and crystal growth 𝐺
Size 0.71/0.5 0.5/0.355 0.355/ 0.25/ 0.18/0.125 0.125/0 0.09/0.063 <0.063
range 0.25 0.18 .090
(mm)
Mass 8.46 19.18 30.11 22.21 11.92 5.29 1.87 0.85
(g)

(b) The following values of 𝑛𝑜 , 𝐺 and 𝐵𝑜 were obtained from the sieve analysis data of
the crystallizers by operating the same crystallizer at the two other feed rates.
Feed rate (liter/h) 𝒏𝒐 (𝒎−𝟒 ) 𝒎 𝑩𝒐 (𝒎−𝟑 . 𝒔−𝟏 )
𝑮( )
𝒔
16 8.2 × 1014 8.6 × 10−8 7.1 × 107
24 1.1 × 1015 1.3 × 10−7 1.4 × 108
Do the values of 𝐵𝑜 and 𝐺 for the three feed rates indicate any nonlinear relation
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between 𝐵𝑜 and 𝐺? How are they related? [Mullin, 2002]
 Tray dryer

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http://encyclopedia.che.engin.umich.edu Adapted from “Mass transfer operations” by Treyball
 Through circulation dryer (Batch mode)

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Adapted from “Mass transfer operations” by Treyball
 Belt or conveyor dryer

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http://encyclopedia.che.engin.umich.edu Adapted from “Mass transfer operations” by Treyball
 Fluidized bed dryer

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encyclopedia.che.engin.umich.edu pharmapproach.com
 Rotary dryer

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http://encyclopedia.che.engin.umich.edu Adapted from “Mass transfer operations” by Treyball
 Tunnel truck dryer (continuous)

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Adapted from “Mass transfer operations” by Treyball
 Drying example 3
Spherical catalyst particles (𝑑𝑝 = 5mm) are to be dried by through circulation drying of
hot air (temperature = 90𝑜 𝐶, humidity = 0.018 kg per kg of dry air) at a superficial
velocity of 0.8 𝑚/𝑠 through 30𝑚𝑚 thick bed of particles having moisture of 36%. The
solid is not hygroscopic; critical moisture content is 12% and the equilibrium moisture
content is negligible. The dried product is unloaded at 70𝑜 𝐶 with 0.2% moisture. The
falling rate is linear in moisture content. All moisture is on dry basis. Density of dry
𝑘𝐽
solid = 600 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 , heat capacity of solid = 0.4 𝑜 and the effective surface area of
𝑘𝑔 𝐶
drying = 400 𝑚2 /𝑚3 . Calculate (a) Constant drying rate, (b) total drying time, © the
time of heating of the dry solid to 70𝑜 𝐶.

𝑘𝐽
𝐶𝑠 = 1.005 + 𝑌 ′ 1.88
𝑘𝑔 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑖𝑟

𝜇𝐺 = 2.2 × 10−5 𝑁. 𝑠/𝑚2

0.49
𝐺′ 𝑘𝑔 𝑑𝑝 𝐺′
ℎ𝑐 = 0.214 𝐺′ 𝑑𝑝 𝑚 𝑅𝑒 = < 350
𝑑𝑝0.51 ℎ. 𝑚2 𝜇𝐺

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