New technologies for the precipitation of solid particles with controlled properties

Precipitation is a decisive unit operation for the production of fine particles with controlled properties. New technologies are developed in order to better control the production process. For example, sliding surface mixing device, vortex reactor or impinging jets may be cited. These reactors are studied in large intervals of operating conditions, showing therefore their possibilities and applications in precipitation. These new technologies are considered as "multifunctional", because they allow in some ways the separation of the different mechanisms of precipitation (nucleation, growth, agglomeration, ripening). Thus, their contribution may be clearly identified in the control of the precipitation process and, particularly, their advantages in front of standard reactors. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.