Purification by solid layer melt crystallization

The application of solid layer crystallization techniques in industry is arousing ever more interest. One reason is the increasing demand for ultrapure products, and another is the energysaving potential of this separation technology.This article examines solid layer melt crystallization as concerns its purification efficiency. The crystallization process was carried out in two different modes, whereby the process parameters were varied and post-crystallization treatments were additionally applied. The experimental results were used as the basis for a mathematical fit of a semi-empirical expression which predicts the purification efficiency. It was used for a design of different multistage plants, which operate with different crystallization strategies. One result is that a comparable product quality is attainable with a simple process technique in combination with post-crystallization treatments, instead of a more complicated and therefore more expensive process technique.The authors wish to acknowledge support by the EU (JOULE program), which helped attainment of some results presented here.