Two dimensional population balance modelling of crystal growth behaviour under the influence of impurities

• The impact of impurity on the growth behaviour of a crystal population is modelled.
• The study is enabled by a morphological population balance model.
• The study is for β L-glutamic acid crystals and the additive is L-phenylalanine.
• Simulation results were verified in experiments.

This short communication investigates the impact of impurity on crystal growth behaviour in terms of crystal shape distribution. A two dimensional population balance model is applied to study the crystal shape changing behaviour in cooling crystallisation producing β-form L-glutamic acid crystals, in the presence and without the presence of an additive, L-phenylalanine. The simulation results were verified in experiments using a 1-litre crystalliser for crystallisation of L-glutamic acid.

The evolution of shape distribution for the seeded crystallisation of L-glutamic acid in the presence of an impurity, L-phenylalanine. It was found that the impurity did not have much influence on the width direction, but has inhibited the growth in the length direction.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide