ABSTRACT
Reactive crystallization involves simultaneous reaction and solid–liquid phase separation. Identification of the dominant mechanism(s) in the crystallizer provides an understanding of how these factors impact the equilibrium-based plant-scale design and a rational overall plan for operating the reactive crystallizer. Traditionally, thermodynamic data used for design of reactive crystallization are primarily limited to solubility. Crystallization is a particulate process and any description of a crystallizing system is incomplete without a population balance, which characterizes the particulate material by the distribution of size of its particles. Mass transfer of the dissolved solute to existing crystals and incorporation of the solute into the crystal lattice leads to crystal growth. Mixing controls instantaneous chemical reaction and hence the generation of supersaturation of the crystallizing product(s). Reactive crystallization is a complex phenomenon involving several processes which take place simultaneously. In a reactive crystallizer, mixing at various scales occurs simultaneously with reaction, nucleation, and growth processes.
