Nucleation Control: Microwave, Ultrasound and Laser as Tools to Control the Number of Nuclei in Crystallization Processes

The principal objective of the research focuses on the intensification of the batch and continuous crystallization processes through enhanced nucleation control, proper plug flow conditions in continuous tubular crystallizers and development of advanced image analysis based PAT tool for process monitoring.
Nucleation control is addressed through manipulation of the number of crystals in the crystallizer; by either controlling the rate of nuclei formation or through dissolution of the excess nuclei to limit the nucleation overshoot or through continuous seeding in case of flow crystallizer to suppress nucleation in the tubes. The following topics are addressed:

1. The efficiency of the Direct Nucleation Control(DNC) strategy using microwave heating.

2. Induction of high nucleation rates at low supersaturation by the application of laser or ultrasound energy.

3. Combination of the ultrasound assisted internal seed generation in the continuous tubular crystallizer, under plug flow conditions.

4. Characterization of nucleation and the crystal properties through development of in-situ imaging based PAT technology.