A Task-Based Synthesis Approach toward the Design of Industrial Crystallization Process Units

Abstract

A novel task-based ontology is proposed to improve the conceptual design at the level of a process unit for solution crystallization. The objective is to reduce the cost of resources and capital, and possibly lead to process intensification. The physical task concept is chosen to facilitate a more synthesis-focused, functional approach, as an alternative to the traditional way of thinking in geometric structures for existing equipment. The synthesis approach is to represent a crystallization unit as a structured set of basic functions (tasks), each of which transforms the physical state of matter from an initial state to some final desired target state by means of physical event(s). These tasks can be connected in a network to accomplish the transformation of the feed into the product within quality specifications. Because a task network is coupled with behavioral models of physical events, it can also be used in a process-modeling environment for synthesis, analysis, and optimization studies.

Fundamentals of Industrial Crystallization

“…Therefore, nowadays one approach within industrial crystallizer design research is based on the optimization of the different subprocesses (task-based design [70]). The optimization research of the different tasks will in future lead to a toolbox of functional process building blocks for a specific crystallization task.…”

Salt Crystallization on a 1 m3 Scale: From Hierarchical Design to Pilot Plant Operation

“…The integration of design and control has also been proposed upon considering that crystallization involves highly nonlinear steps and is applied in processes comprising several unit operations and recycle streams . Recently, a generic approach to design has been proposed, which decomposes the process into tasks that represent fundamental physical events. , This procedure is promising for process intensification, but it needs further development before it can be applied. In spite of these developments, the synthesis of crystallization processes remains a complex task that requires many hypotheses and often leads to multiple solutions, so that the resulting design largely depends on the designer’s experience.…”

Minimization of Attrition and Breakage in an Airlift Crystallizer

“…A key challenge is to improve in the design phase the control over the physical phenomena dominating the process performance and product quality. − The control over each of these individual physical phenomena is not possible in present industrial crystallizers, because these phenomena are strongly interconnected.…”