Simulation of metastable zone width and induction time for a seeded aqueous solution of potassium sulfate

The metastable zone width (MSZW, Delta T-m) and induction time (t(ind)) were determined with computer simulation for seeded batch crystallization of potassium sulfate from aqueous solution. The MSZW and induction time determined with simulation showed the same behavior as experimental values reported in the literature; log (Delta T-m) increased linearly with an increase in log R (R: cooling rate) and t(ind) decreases in proportion to (Delta T)(-n) (Delta T: supercooling, n: nucleation order in the secondary rate expression of B=k(n)(Delta T)(n)). The secondary nucleation parameters (k(n) and n) were deduced both from the simulated MSZW and induction times by using the previously proposed model [J. Cryst. Growth, 2010, 312, 548-554]. The secondary nucleation rate calculated with the deduced parameters was in agreement with that calculated with the parameters input for simulation. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.