Continuous Succinic Acid Crystallization Stirring Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing succinic acid lack efficiency and stability in achieving high-purity, uniform crystals with controlled particle size distribution, which is crucial for its use as a food additive and polymer starting material.
Innovation Solution
A continuous crystallization process in a tank equipped with a stirrer, where succinic acid is crystallized with controlled stirring conditions, seed crystals are introduced, and the process involves temperature management and pressure reduction to achieve narrow particle size distribution and high purity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If batch crystallization is used with heat treatment, then crystal purity is improved, but production efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous crystallization by continuously feeding succinic acid-containing liquid into the crystallization tank and continuously discharging the crystallized succinic acid, replacing the batch process. This continuous operation maintains high crystal purity through controlled stirring conditions (0.4-3 kW/m³) while significantly improving production efficiency and eliminating the need for repeated batch heating and cooling cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from batch to continuous mode, controlling the stirring power per unit volume within 0.4-3 kW/m³ range. This parameter optimization enables continuous crystallization to achieve both high purity crystals and high production efficiency simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and productivity
2Manufacturing precision
If stirring conditions are optimized for narrow particle size distribution, then crystal uniformity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the stirring power per unit volume to a specific range of 0.4-3 kW/m³, which is the critical parameter for achieving narrow particle size distribution. By controlling the stirring intensity within this optimized range during continuous crystallization, the patent achieves uniform crystal particles with excellent handleability while avoiding excessive energy consumption that would occur with higher stirring powers
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 process efficiently produces high-purity succinic acid with uniform particle diameter and excellent handleability, ensuring stable and efficient crystallization.
Implementation Method 1
a crystallization tank equipped with a stirrer, wherein the crystallization is conducted continuously
Implementation Method 2
a crystallization step of producing solid succinic acid from a succinic-acid-containing liquid
Implementation Method 3
the particle diameter and particle size distribution of succinic acid are regulated by regulating the stirring conditions and the degree of supersaturation
Implementation Method 4
the resultant aqueous solution is cooled to cause crystallization
Implementation Method 5
discharging the crystallized succinic acid continuously or intermittently from the crystallization tank
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are processes for producing high-purity succinic acid from a succinic-acid-containing liquid through crystallization. The invention relates to a process for producing succinic acid which comprises crystallizing succinic acid from a succinic-acid-containing liquid with stirring in a crystallization tank equipped with a stirrer, wherein a power required for the stirring per unit volume of the succinic-acid-containing liquid in the crystallization tank is 0.4-3 kW/m3, and a process for producing succinic acid which comprises crystallizing succinic acid from a succinic-acid-containing liquid in a crystallization tank, wherein the process comprises a crystallization step in which the succinic acid that has crystallized is discharged continuously or intermittently from the crystallization tank and a succinic-acid-containing liquid is fed continuously or intermittently to the crystallization tank, to keep the liquid level of the crystallization tank so as to be within a given range.