Device for inducing nucleation
US9682332B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jun 20, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01J2219/1943
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Described is a device for inducing crystal nucleation in a crystallizer. The device comprises a vessel for fluid and a surface abrader, wherein the surface abrader is configured to abrade a surface within the vessel to induce crystal nucleation. The friction of the abrader against the surface within the vessel creates nano-sized particulates which induce crystal nucleation. Crystal growth can then take place in the crystallizer. Also described is a crystallization apparatus comprising the device and a crystallization process using the device or similar. The device is significantly cheaper and more reliable than known ultrasound devices and facilitates the separation of crystal nucleation and crystal growth. The device also enables the avoidance of the use of seeding as a source of secondary nucleation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.