Growth Kinetics of Anhydrous Citric Acid Under Optimized Conditions in a Vibrated Batch Crystallizer

Objective: The aim of this paper is to investigate the crystallization of citric acid on a vibrated bed within a stainless-steel crystallizer, featuring a jacket and a trunk-conical shape, utilizing a constrained quantity of seed crystals. Theoretical Framework: This study assessed mass yield and characteristic dimensions in the crystallization of anhydrous citric acid using a vibrated bed batch crystallizer, employing a limited quantity of seed crystals. Method: Operational optimization of the process was conducted using central composite design (CCD), considering the independent variables: dimensionless vibration number, supersaturation level, and seed population. The operating temperature was set at 55°C. The condition yielding maximum mass was utilized to study the growth kinetics over a time range from 0.5 hours to 2 hours. Characteristic dimension and concentration were monitored as a function of crystallization time. Results and Discussion: In two hours of operation, the crystal mass increased by 157%, and the characteristic dimension increased to approximately 42%. Growth rates, overall mass transfer coefficient, and growth kinetics order were determined. Originality: This article consists of a contribution to the use of vibration to improve crystallization with the application of vibration to improve the transfer of heat and mass.