Crystallizer technology
Forced Circulation Crystallizers
The most widely used crystallizer thanks to its simple and robust design as well as the easy operation. Its high mechanical energy input and high secondary nucleation rate make it the best solution when large crystals are not required.
The Forced Circulation Crystallizer is the most common type of crystallizer. Simple in design and easy to operate, it is usually employed in evaporative crystallization of relatively flat or inverse solubility products in rather viscous media and when scaling is a major issue. Its highly mechanical energy input and high secondary nucleation rate make it the best solution when large crystals are not required.
Particular Features:
- MSMPR (mixed suspension, mixed product removal) crystallizer
- Suitable for products with relatively flat or inverse solubility curve
- Limited crystal size (<0.8mm) due to elevated secondary nucleation rate
- Single loop or double loop installation for large capacities
- Central pipe or tangential inlets
- Scaling and down-time minimization by surface treatment and reliable flushing concepts
- Auxiliary equipment
- Demister (internal or external) for condensate quality control
- Integrated salt leg for elevated product purity
- Baffle zones (internal or at circulation pipe)
Working Principle
Working Principle of Forced Circulation CrystallizersThe Forced Circulation Crystallizer is made of four basic components:
- The crystallizer vessel. Provides most of the active volume dictated by the residence time requirements and enables a proper disengagement of process vapors.
- The circulation pump. Provides sufficient circulation rate to operate the crystallizer under optimal supersaturation and superheating conditions. Typically, axial-flow propeller pumps are used.
- The heat exchanger. Supplies the required thermal energy to the crystallizer for the desired evaporation rate.
- Interconnecting piping. Connects the components of the crystallizer.
Slurry of a desired solid density is circulated from the crystallizer vessel through the heat exchanger, gets superheated and is returned to the evaporation chamber. The superheating is relieved by means of evaporation and the evolving supersaturation is leading to growth of the suspended crystals. The evaporated solvent is conducted to the subsequent process steps or is internally re-used by applying any re-compression system.
Heating options for thermal separation plants
Downloads
Related Products
Crystallization Test Centers
Available for product and feasibility trials with real samples and under real parameters. Either in GEA centers of excellence for crystallization or onsite thanks to our mobile units.
COMPACRYST®
Process and mechanical innovation. Compact and Monoblock Forced Circulation Crystallizer.
Oslo Crystallizers
Fluidized bed crystallizer with the ability to grow the largest crystals at elevated retention time.
Draft Tube Baffle Crystallizers
Limited attrition and efficient fines destruction – a design to produce coarse crystals with a narrow size distribution.
GEA Insights
GEA reports profitable growth for 2025 and expects accelerated revenue growth
GEA’s past fiscal year was one of significant growth and further profitability gains. In particular, the technology group substantially increased order intake, with all divisions contributing here. GEA also made progress in all Mission 30 strategic growth areas. In addition, GEA met key interim targets under its climate plan ahead of schedule. Major milestones in fiscal year 2025 were admission to the DAX index, the award of one of the largest contracts in the company’s history, and streamlining of the corporate structure.
How SmartParc is rewriting the rules of food production
Thanks to a new SmartParc manufacturing site, food processors in the U.K. are cutting their running costs and emissions. With GEA heating and cooling technology at its core, this collaborative production model demonstrates how innovation is accelerating the industry’s net-zero ambitions.
The food science playground
“Brewing eggs is like brewing beer.” It’s the kind of comparison that makes you smile – and then it clicks: Something complex suddenly feels simple. Through this personal film, set in the agricultural heartland of the U.S., we explore precision fermentation and the real-world work it takes to turn an idea into food.
