Spiral Seed-Crystal Support for High-Purity Enantiomer Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for crystallizing and separating enantiomers from supersaturated solutions face challenges such as high stirring speeds leading to crystal breakage, broad particle size distribution, contamination risks, and inefficient separation processes that can result in impurities and reduced bioavailability, particularly in pharmaceutical applications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a crystallization process using a spiral-shaped support with immobilized seed crystals, where the solution is cooled to induce crystallization on the support, followed by controlled temperature adjustment to isolate the crystals, minimizing contamination and ensuring homogeneous distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If high stirring speeds are used to achieve homogeneous distribution of seed crystals, then the distribution of seed crystals is improved, but crystal breakage increases leading to broad particle size distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the crystallization process into two distinct stages: a nucleation stage with controlled stirring to form uniform seed crystals, and a growth stage with reduced stirring to allow crystals to grow without breakage. This segmentation of the process resolves the contradiction by applying different stirring conditions at different phases, achieving both homogeneous distribution and narrow particle size distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary formation of seed crystals under controlled conditions before the main crystallization process. By pre-forming uniform seed crystals and then introducing them to the supersaturated solution with reduced stirring, the system achieves homogeneous distribution without the crystal breakage that would occur with high stirring speeds throughout the entire process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If high stirring speeds are used to prevent sedimentation of seed crystals, then the suspension stability is improved, but crystal breakage due to collisions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the stirring speed throughout the crystallization process. High stirring is applied only during the initial nucleation phase to prevent sedimentation and ensure homogeneous distribution. Once seed crystals are formed, the stirring speed is reduced to maintain suspension stability while minimizing crystal collisions and breakage during the growth phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic stirring patterns where intense mixing is applied intermittently during nucleation, followed by gentler continuous stirring during crystal growth. This periodic variation in stirring intensity maintains suspension stability without causing excessive crystal breakage, resolving the contradiction between suspension stability and crystal integrity.
3Ease of operation
If floating fine particles are present in the solution, then the solution can be easily handled, but contamination risks increase during transfer and separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary removal of fine particles through controlled sedimentation or filtration before the main separation process. By eliminating fine particles that could cause contamination during transfer and separation operations, the system maintains ease of handling while ensuring high separation purity and minimizing contamination risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts or removes the problematic fine particles from the solution through preliminary processing steps such as controlled sedimentation or filtration. By taking out these fine particles that cause contamination risks, the remaining crystal suspension can be handled easily while maintaining high purity during subsequent separation operations.
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
The method achieves high-purity crystallization with minimal impurities, rapid separation, and reduced contamination risks, enabling efficient isolation of enantiomers with yields exceeding 95 wt.%, suitable for pharmaceutical applications.
Implementation Method 1
crystallizing and separating a substance from a solution in which the substance is present, in particular in a supersaturated solution
Implementation Method 2
cooling the seed crystals (18) while adjusting the temperature at the seed crystals (18) to a temperature T2
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a crystallisation method and a crystallisation arrangment for crystallising a substance from a solution, in particular for resolution of racemates.