Continuous Crystallization of Phosphoric Acid Using Suspension Crystallizer: Effect of Operating Conditions on Purity of Crystals

In this study, batch crystallization via indirect cooling and continuous crystallization via direct and indirect cooling of phosphoric acid hemihydrate (H3PO4.1/2H(2)O) from the mixed acid solution of phosphoric acid and acetic acid are performed. In batch crystallization, needle-shaped crystals are obtained, and the impurity concentration of acetic acid in the crystals is 4.2 wt%. Primary nucleation occurred under a high degree of supersaturation, and the metastable zone width for secondary nuclei is narrow. In contrast, in continuous crystallization via indirect cooling, scaly crystals are obtained, and the acetic acid impurity concentration therein is 2.0 wt%. Additionally, continuous crystallization via direct contact cooling is performed, the crystal shape and impurity concentration under direct cooling are similar to those under indirect cooling, suggesting the possibility to downsize the apparatus. Through utilization of the equipment and approach elaborated herein, the correlation between the operating conditions and crystal quality can be assessed.