AN ASSESSMENT OF MSMPR CRYSTALLIZATION KINETICS DATA FOR SYSTEMS MODELED BY SIZE-DEPENDENT CRYSTAL-GROWTH RATE-FUNCTIONS

A comparison of methods proposed for the determination of crystallization kinetics from the crystal size distribution in continuous mixed-suspension, mixed-product-removal (MSMPR) crystallizers is presented for several systems exhibiting size-dependent crystal growth rates reported in the literature. Wide variations in inferred kinetic parameters are obtained depending on the analytical method adopted, leading to uncertainty in their utility. Direct fitting of differential population density data using exponential size-dependent growth models, however, gives an improved estimation of growth rates over the whole size range and leads to higher zero-size crystal growth and nucleation rates in comparison with other models tested.