Win high yields with our static crystallization methods
Static crystallization is a process using vertical plates, heated or cooled by an internal circulation of heat transfer medium (HTM). The plates are suspended in the molten feed. Slow cooling of the HTM below the freezing point of the stagnant melt causes a layer of crystals to grow on the plates.
Slow cooling of the heat transfer medium below the freezing point of the melt causes a structure of crystals to build up on the outer surface of the plates. Impurities are rejected from the growing crystals and are concentrated in the remaining melt. After the desired fraction has been crystallized, the remaining liquid phase is drained from the crystallizer. The purer crystalline layer remains adhered to the plates.
This layer is further purified by sweating (partial melting), that is, by gently heating close to its melting point. Trapped and adherent melt, which contains the impurities, drains off. This partial melting step serves to further purify the crystalline product. Partial melting also rinses the equipment free of impure melt, preventing back-mixing and contamination of the final purified fraction.
After sweating, the purified crystal layer is totally melted and drained to the purified liquid product storage.
In general, crystallization is often the best alternative when distillation performs poorly, or if your product cannot be purified or separated by distillation due to close boiling points, or azeotropes between the components. In addition to static crystallization, our portfolio of melt crystallization technologies is completed by falling film and suspension crystallization. The chance that any of these work for your applications is high.
