On-line measurement of crystal complexity
Advancing the chemical engineering fundamentals
Particulate Systems (T2-3P)
Keywords: crystal morphology, agglomeration, D-glucose, sucrose, image analysis
This paper presents and describes an on-line method to determine the complexity level of a crystal or a population of crystals. Image analysis techniques are combined with discriminant factorial analysis leading to results that allow the computation of the complexity of crystals through a new parameter, the agglomeration degree of crystals. With this methodology it has been possible to distinguish, on-line and automatically, among three different classes of crystals, and within each class as per their complexity. It further describes the application of such methodology to the study of the influence of D-glucose on sucrose crystallization, namely on crystal size and morphology. The effect of supersaturation, growth rate and impurity concentration on the type, amount and complexity level of the agglomerates was also determined.
Presented Monday 17, 13:30 to 15:00, in session Particulate Systems (T2-3P).
