Seeding strategies and residence time characteristics of continuous preferential crystallization

This contribution investigates the effects of different seeding strategies and residence time characteristics on the dynamics of a Mixed Suspension Mixed Product Removal (MSMPR) crystallizer equipped with a fines dissolution unit. For the first time continuous preferential enantioselective crystallization is investigated. The fines dissolution is included as recycle streams around the MSMPR crystallizer. Moreover, primary heterogeneous and secondary nucleation mechanisms along with size-dependent growth rates are taken into account. A semi-discrete high resolution finite volume scheme (FVS) is employed for discretizing the derivatives with respect to the length coordinate. The resulting ordinary differential equations (ODEs) are solved by a Runge–Kutta method of order four. Several numerical case studies are carried out. The results support process design and optimization.

► For the first time, continuous preferential crystallization is studied systematically. ► For this purpose a dynamic model is developed and exploited. ► A semi-discrete high resolution finite volume scheme is used to solve the model. ► Different seeding strategies and residence time characteristics are investigated. ► The results could help in process design and optimization.