Crystal growth rate dispersion in sugar batch cooling crystallization

The measurement of particle size distribution is one of the most widely used methods in the industry because of its importance for the conduct of processing and evaluation of final product quality. In this study, sucrose crystal size distribution data were applied for determination of the crystal growth rate in technical solutions from sugar beet processing under laboratory conditions in a batch cooling crystallizer. The authors chose the Coulter Counter method for measurement of the crystal size distribution. The Rosin-Rammler-Sperling-Bennet function was applied for evaluation of the main parameters of distribution: mean size and uniformity of crystals. Findings indicated that spread of sucrose crystal size distribution during cooling crystallization was a consequence of growth rate dispersion. Crystal mass growth rate was the linear function of crystal size. Seeding protocol affected the characteristics of crystal size distribution and mass growth rate. Crystal size distribution during crystal growth satisfied the Rosin-Rammler-Sperling-Bennet function.