Continuous Crystallization Kinetics of Cefradine in a Mixed Suspension Mixed Product Removal System

Understanding the continuous crystallization process is of paramount interest in the industry. In this work, the continuous crystallization kinetics of cefradine in a three-stage mixed suspension mixed product removal (MSMPR) system was investigated at a steady state. In addition, the nucleation rate and growth rate of cefradine at different temperatures and stirring rates were determined on the basis of the population balance equation and further regressed on the basis of the different parameters. The results show that the crystal nucleation rate and growth rate are the fastest in the third stage and in the first stage, respectively. According to the regressed nucleation and growth rate models, the relative concentration had a smaller effect on the growth rate than that on the nucleation rate with a larger fitted parameter of relative concentration. The nucleation rate was significantly affected by the stirring rate with the largest fitted parameter of the stirring rate.