Micromixing limits in an MSMPR crystallizer

Abstract The effect of micromixing limits on a process of crystallization in an MSMPR crystallizer is studied with respect to power law growth and nucleation kinetics. Three limiting cases corresponding to maximum mixedness and complete segregation in an MSMPR crystallizer and plug flow configuration were analyzed for processes in which supersaturation is generated by conventional techniques. The sensitivity of these three limiting cases to the supersaturation generation term in each mode of operation was investigated using several numerical examples. The study demonstrates the effects of mixing on the overall crystallizer performance and, in particular, the enormous micromixing influence at high supersaturation generation rates. The difference in the product CSD arise from the variations of supersaturation profiles experienced by the elementary volumes throughout their sojourn. Characterization of mixing in a real crystallizer at some intermediate levels is emphasized with the aid of relevant industrial examples.