Types of Crystallization used in chemical industry

Crystallization a separation process used in chemical industry- Crystallization is most widely

used unit operation in Chemical industry. This operation is use for separation purpose. In this
process we can do solid liquid separation .So in this article we will study about crystallization
separation process used in chemical industry, factors affecting crystallization , seeding , types of
stirrer use for crystallization.

What is crystallization ?

In short Crystallization is nothing but formation of crystals .

Is crystallization is unit operation or unit process ? Yes crystallization is unit process .

Types of Crystallization used in chemical industry

On the basis of Crystallization method , crystallization can be classified as ,

 Crystallization by cooling/chilling
 Crystallization by evaporation

Crystallization by cooling or chilling

In this type of crystallization technic , first we cool or chill the solution up to a particular
temperature as per solubility of solute in solvent. In short in this process we can cool or chill the
solution up to the temperature where almost all solute get solidify .After this we need to separate
this solid and liquid using suitable filtration method like centrifuge. Almost all pharmaceutical
industry as well as chemical industry use centrifuge to separate the solid crystal from the liquid.
In case if solvent have HAZRDUS property then we can choose some other method of filtration.
In short in crystallization by cooling or chilling we chill the solution up to a particular
temperature then we can do filtration using centrifuge . After centrifuge we will get solid as our
solute and liquid as mother liquor.

Process flow diagram for types of crystallization used in chemical industry

Crystallization by evaporation

In crystallization by cooling we do solidification by reducing the temperature. In crystallization

by evaporation we evaporate the excess solvent by heating the solution. After evaporation of
excess solvent we can do filtration to separate the solid from liquid.

In above method we can evaporate the excess solvent depending on solubility of solute in the
solvent.

Factors affecting crystallization

Factors affecting crystallization is very important for chemical engineers.
Performance of crystallization is depends on some factors like.

 Temperature
 Solubility
 Types of agitator and its RPM
 Degree of inversion
 Crystallizing substance property
 Nuclei Formation
 Seeding
 Crystallization rate

Temperature of crystallization

As we know that solubility of of material is different at different temperature , so we need find

the suitable temperature for crystallization as per solubility data .

Solubility of material

Solubility is very important for crystallization of material. As we know that crystallization is unit
process used for separation or purification of product. So we need to salect a solvent as per
solubility of our material at perticular temperature.

Types of agitator and speed of agitator

A agitator and its RPM play a very important role in crystallization . In Chemical industry
mostly anchor type stirrer is used for crystallization. High crystallization rate is responsible for
small crystal size. Very high agitation rate become resistance for formation of crystals. Mixing is
get affected by motion of liquid .

Why anchor types of stirrer is mostly used for crystallization in Chemical and
pharmaceutical industry ?

Anchor types of stirrer used in Chemical industry is due to some very important application. The
main advantage of anchor types of stirrer use is ” it’s give very high heat transfer rate “. Anchor
type of stirrer is very close to the vessel so it give a very good heat transfer rate . Also speed of
anchor types of stirrer is slow as compared to other types of stirrer .

Seeding for growth of crystals

Seeding is very important in the crystallization process.

What is seeding process used in crystallization ?

Seeding process is nothing but addition of material or mass in crystallizating solutions which
initiate the formation of crystals.
Effect of nucleation in Crystallization

This is first step of crystallization which gives start to formation of crystal . Nucleation can be
classified as homogeneous nucleation and heterogeneous nucleation.

What is nucleation I short ?

Nucleation is formation of small crystals .

After formation of crystals next step is growth of crystals . In crystal growth process ,small small
crystal are get attached and form a big crystal.

Conclusion
Article cover basic knowledge about Types of Crystallization used in chemical industry. It cover
factors affecting crystallization too. It gives information about Seeding in the formation of
crystals .