AN ASSESSMENT OF MSMPR CRYSTALLIZATION KINETICS DATA FOR SYSTEMS MODELED BY SIZE-DEPENDENT CRYSTAL-GROWTH RATE-FUNCTIONS

A comparison of methods proposed for the determination of crystallizat ion kinetics from the crystal size distribution in continuous mixed-su spension, mixed-product-removal (MSMPR) crystallizers is presented for several systems exhibiting size-dependent crystal growth rates report ed in the literature. Wide variations in inferred kinetic parameters a re obtained depending on the analytical method adopted, leading to unc ertainty in their utility. Direct fitting of differential population d ensity data using exponential size-dependent growth models, however, g ives an improved estimation of growth rates over the whole size range and leads to higher zero-size crystal growth and nucleation rates in c omparison with other models tested.