Continuous Crystallization Buffer Vessel Dissipates Oversaturation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing processes for continuous crystallization of target product X from a liquid phase P containing X and other constituents suffer from oversaturation issues, leading to uncontrolled crystal growth and agglomeration in buffer vessels, which can disrupt the smooth operation of the process.
Innovation Solution
A process involving an indirect heat transferer with a secondary and primary chamber, where the liquid phase P is cooled to form fine crystals, and the suspension is then heated and enriched with additional constituents in a buffer vessel to maintain thermodynamic equilibrium, preventing agglomeration and ensuring continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the liquid phase P is cooled in the secondary chamber to form fine crystals, then the target product X is continuously removed from the liquid phase, but oversaturation occurs leading to uncontrolled crystal growth and agglomeration in the buffer vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by heating the suspension S in the buffer vessel before it enters the separating apparatus. This pre-heating prevents oversaturation and uncontrolled crystal growth during subsequent handling. The suspension is heated to a temperature where the solubility of target product X exceeds its current concentration, dissolving any agglomerates and maintaining fine crystal suspension stability throughout the separation process.
2Manufacturing precision
If the suspension S is kept at low temperature to maintain fine crystals, then crystal growth is controlled, but thermodynamic equilibrium cannot be maintained preventing complete dissolution of agglomerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action through temperature cycling in the buffer vessel. The suspension undergoes periodic heating to dissolve agglomerates and maintain thermodynamic equilibrium, then cooling to preserve fine crystal formation. This cyclic temperature variation ensures that at no point do crystals agglomerate, as the system continuously alternates between dissolution and crystallization states, maintaining both fine crystal size and compositional stability.
3Productivity
If additional constituents Bi are added to the buffer vessel, then the mole fraction MB,Rtot increases improving crystallization efficiency, but the complexity of process control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically adjusting multiple variables in the buffer vessel: temperature (heating to prevent oversaturation), composition (adding constituents Bi to increase MB,Rtot for improved crystallization efficiency), and residence time. These coordinated parameter modifications optimize the crystallization process while maintaining manageable control complexity through their interdependent relationships.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively dissipates oversaturation and prevents uncontrolled crystal growth, ensuring a stable and continuous supply of fine crystals to the separating apparatus, thereby maintaining process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
transfer of heat from the liquid phase P which is fed to the secondary chamber and comprises the target product X through the material dividing wall (the heat transferer surface) which divides the secondary chamber and the at least one primary chamber from one another into the coolant flowing within the at least one primary chamber
Implementation Method 2
the liquid phase P cools until the saturation limit of the liquid phase P with target product X is exceeded
Implementation Method 3
at least one material dividing wall which serves as a surface for transfer of heat out of the secondary chamber into the at least one primary chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A process for continuously removing a target product X in the form of fine crystals from a liquid phase P comprising the target product X and constituents other than the target product X by cooling suspension crystallization in an indirect heat transferer, in which the crystal suspension formed is conducted out of the heat transferer first into a mixed buffer tank and, from there, fed to an apparatus for separating the crystal suspension into crystals and liquid phase, and wherein external measures dissipade the oversaturation of the crystal suspension fed to the buffer vessel with target product X.