An improved model of the seeded batch crystallization of glucose monohydrate from aqueous solutions

The current research has produced an accurate model of the non-nucleating seeded batch crystallization of glucose monohydrate which includes complex phenomena including crystal growth rate dispersion and the effect of the mutarotation reaction. The model is able to predict the population density of crystals in the batch as a function of particle size and batch time, n=n(L,t) as well as total glucose concentration in the mother liquor and the fraction of glucose in the α-d-glucopyranose form. A previous model of similar systems was limited by considering only systems with monosize seed crystals, and where growth rate dispersion had a negligible effect on the particle size distribution. Because of the nature of the ‘common history’ crystals that are produced by the growth of glucose monohydrate, the modifications required to the model to account for these additions to the model are remarkably simple. By predicting the full population density the model produces an accurate mass balance for the crystallization process, since the second moment of the crystal size distribution (CSD) may be calculated analytically at every point in the simulation. This enables the competitive kinetics between the rate of crystal mass deposition of α-glucose and the rate of production of α-glucose via the mutarotation reaction to be more accurately accounted for, and hence the significance of the mutarotation reaction on the crystal growth to be more accurately predicted.