Size-dependent growth kinetics of continuous mass crystallization of L-sorbose from its water solutions

Abstract

The kinetics of<b> </b>a<b> </b>continuous mass crystallization of L-sorbose from its water solutions was studied. A precise kinetic model assuming size-dependent growth (SDG) mechanism was employed. Influences of concentration of L-sorbose in a feeding mixture and mean residence time of suspension on the minimum and maximum values of linear growth rate and on nucleation rate were established. Comparison with kinetic data provided by size–independent growth (SIG) kinetic model was also made. All G_¥ values predicted by SDG model (2.43×10^–8–12.10×10^–8 ms^–1) are of the same magnitude as G values provided by the simplest SIG model (1.89×10^–8–7.61×10^–8 ms^–1). Nucleation rate values, B, estimated from SIG model are, however, highly devaluated (B = 1.85×10⁷–18.87×10⁷ m^–3s^–1) compared to the ones provided by SDG approach (B = 5.45×10¹⁸–1.10×10²¹ m^–3s^–1) in which the n(L) predictions are more compatible with the experimental n(L) data in a whole size range tested.