CRYSTALLIZATION APPARATUS

The choice and design of the crystallization apparatus depends, among

other things, on the properties of the phases involved and the flow required
for mixing and suspension. Generally, a distinction can be made between
crystallization from solution and crystallization from a melt in order to
choose the correct type of crystallization apparatus. Melt crystallizaiton
can be subdivided into two groups with respect to the process principles
involved:
1. Processes in which connected crystal layers are usually discontinuously
deposited from a melt onto cooled surfaces so that the remaining solution
can be separated from the crystal layers without a further separation
step in the process.
2. Processes in which the entire melt is usually converted continuously to a
crystal suspension by being cooled. The suspension is then separated
into a solid and the remaining melt in a separate process, which is often
mechanical liquid separation.

The vacuum crystallizer illustrated in Figure 1.4 does not have a heat
exchanger in the crystallization flow. This figure shows the open model, in
which the crystallization part is under atmospheric pressure. The difference
in pressure to the vacuum part is compensated by the hydrostatic pressure of
the liquid.

shows a vacuum crystallizer with upward flow in the tube and

agitator baffles. This type of crystallizer yields the degree of growth required
for the production of coarse crystals. Instead of a circulation pump as in
Figure 1.1, a circulating device is built into the lower part of the draft tube.
The holding sheets of the tube serve as agitator baffles. Fresh solution is fed
directly into the tube. The crystals enter the vicinity of the vaporizing surface, where
supersaturation is at its peak. Fines can be removed by an
overflow in the ring chamber. The coarse part of a narrow crystal size
distribution is separated by a screening tube at the lower end of the
crystallizer.

Batch Vacuum
General Information/Equipment Design

Vacuum crystallizers use a condenser with a booster to maintain a vacuum inside

the crystallizer body. This vacuum makes it possible to generate a supersaturated
solution when very low operating temperatures are needed. Vacuum crystallizers
may be continuous or batch. The batch vacuum crystallizer is particularly useful
when processing materials that tend to grow on the walls of continuous
crystallization equipment.

Usage Examples

The vacuum crystallizer shown below is used to produce Glauber's Salt at a mineral
plant. The crystallizer body can be seen on the left, with the condenser and booster
slightly above and to the right of it.
 For special cases requiring very low operating temperatures achieved only by very high vacuum, and for those
applications involving relatively small amounts of material, or when the material being processed must be handled
on less than a continuous basis, it is often both convenient and economical to use a Swenson batch vacuum
crystallizer.

Cycles on batch equipment typically range from two to eight hours, not including loading and unloading time. At
the conclusion of the cycle, the material is deposited in an agitated tank from which it is removed on either a
batch or continuous basis for separation and drying. The entire cycle can be automated.

When the material is cooled through a very wide temperature range or to a final temperature which requires very
high vacuum, a large ejector or booster is utilized to compress the vapor to a pressure high enough for
condensation with available cooling water. In such cases, the batch vacuum crystallizer steam economy is
approached only by multiple stage continuous equipment of five or more stages.

An added advantage of the batch vacuum type of crystallizer is its capacity for self-cleaning, which is particularly
Chelpful when dealing with materials prone to grow on the walls of continuous crystallization equipment.

C2ontinuous Crystallizers
Our Adiabatic Vacuum Continuous Crystallizers operate on the principle of adiabatic boiling wherein
the feed liquor is exposed to high vacuum resulting in evaporation and cooling of the liquor.
The concentrated liquor is fed to the continuous crystallizer in an acidic or alkaline condition. At the
point of super saturation, the salt present in the liquor starts crystallizing and the vapours generated
are compressed with the help of steam jet boosters. The continuous crystallizer operating with multi-
nozzle boosters offer the most optimized operational costs.

Batch Vacuum Crystallizers

Our Adiabatic Batch Vacuum Crystallizers are used for cases requiring very low operating
temperatures achieved only by very high vacuum, and for those applications involving relatively small
amounts of material, or when the material being processed must be handled on less than a
continuous basis, it is often both convenient and economical.
Where the material is cooled through a very wide range and/or to a final temperature which requires
very high vacuum, a large ejector or booster is utilized to compress the vapor to a pressure high
enough for condensation with available cooling water. In such cases, the batch vacuum crystallizer
steam economy is achieved by multiple stage continuous equipment of five or more stages.

Key Advantages
Easy Heat Transfer

Continuous Operation with Minimal Supervisory Requirement

Uniform Product Quality

Elastomer Lined Chambers withstand corrosion and can handle mother liquor in
acidic conditions

No Moving Parts
 The system eliminates the need of refrigeration plant, therefore, maintenance
problems and down time periods associated with conventional chilling units are totally
eliminated

Total Reliability in Operations

Requires Less Manpower