Part C

Overcoming the issues related

to crystallization

Understand all the parameters

related

The choice of operating conditions during a crystallization

process directly influences important product attributes such
as crystal size, crystal shape and purity. By understanding the
crystallization process and choosing the right process
parameters, it is possible to repeatably produce crystals of the
correct size, shape and purity while minimizing issues
downstream such as long filtration times or inadequate drying.

How to overcome
1. Measure of crystal size distribution
2. Controls seed crystals
3. Monitoring and controlling of foulings

Measure of crystal size

distribution
a. Crystallization mechanisms such as
nucleation, growth, breakage, and shape
changes can be observed under dynamic
changing process conditions. This is done by
using particle track and focused beam
reflectance measurement.
A simple image-based trend indicates how
crystal size, shape, and count complements
high resolution real time images and allows
important process events to be identified and
investigated immediately.

ParticleTrack with FBRM technology is a probe-based instrument that is

inserted directly into a process to study how particle size and count
change over time. Obtain a real-time measurement of particle size,
count and shape

a. Direct in-process
measurement with no sampling
or by-pass loops required
b. Study isolated regions (fine
and coarse) of the particle
population
c. Study particles in opaque or
translucent slurries and
emulsions
d. Directly observe how process
changes impact particles
e. Monitor particles from 0.51000 m at most process
concentrations.

To overcome low
quality product

In order to produce high quality

crystal it is important always to
introduce the seed crystals at the
same supersaturation.
a) By keeping the saturation
constant to the seeding will
results in high quality crystals
as it coincides the optimum
growth rate of the system.
b) In order to maintain constant
growth rates requires good
control of the supersaturation
and has to take into account
the constantly increasing
crystal surface area, which is
ultimately responsible for the
reduction in supersaturation

Monitor and control fouling

Deposition can be controlled by chemical, physical
or biological methods with various level of
effectiveness.
Three main categories :
a) those that affect solubility,
b) those that alter the growth mechanism of crystals,
c) and those that change the potential of a surface
to foul
One of the most effective methods of controlling
crystallization fouling is the addition of chemical
inhibitors to potentially scaling waters