Measuring the amount of crystallinity in solutions using DSC

The amount of solid that forms in a solution at temperatures below the cloud point, is an important quantity in the design of crystallisation processes. A new method using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to measure the fraction of crystallised solution, alpha(solution)(S), ,I,,,,, is proposed. A very good agreement is obtained between the data measured by the new calorimetric method and using alternative techniques. A simple graphic version of the calculation procedure is also presented. It is shown to produce quick and fair estimates for the solid fraction by a simple analysis of a plot of enthalpy variation with temperature.