Application of in-line monitoring for aiding interpretation and control of dextrose monohydrate crystallization

Two in-line monitoring probes were inserted into a 3.2 L batch cooling crystallizer to monitor the progression of a dextrose monohydrate crystallization and how it was influenced by process variables including impurities, seed size and initial dextrose concentration. The probes used were a K-patents refractometer and a Lasentec FBRM probe. These probes were applied to continuously monitor dextrose concentration in solution and crystal chord length distribution throughout the duration of the crystallization. The influence of process variables on crystallizer performance, as determined by final crystal yield and chord size, may not be intuitive and some unexpected results occurred. The continuous in-line measurement data proved very useful for interpreting how variations in the process variables influenced the crystallizer performance. Supersaturation is a key variable in the control of the crystallization process as it influences both nucleation and crystal growth. In-line monitoring of solution dextrose concentration can be applied to continuously evaluate supersaturation and this can then be applied to control supersaturation so as to achieve a desired crystallizer performance.