Melt Crystallization provides an economic and energy-efficient purification step for separation of isomers, azeotropic systems, products that tend to polymerize, heat sensitive products or explosive substances.
The suspension-based process distributes the crystal growth over a massive surface in the crystal suspension that provides the slow optimum growth rates needed to allow continuous pure crystal formation even in relatively impure melts.
GEA Melt Crystallization systems cool a crude liquid melt to create a driving force for the formation and growth of 100% pure crystals – often after a single step, thanks to the combination of this extremely selective crystallization process with our GEA-developed special wash columns for solid-liquid separation technology where the mother liquor is effectively removed from the crystals and a product of high purity is obtained.
Our Melt Crystallization plants can be found in thousands of installations around the globe serving to diverse industrial processes such as specialty solvents, xylenes to produce PET, aliphatic and carboxylic acids, Isocyanates used in the manufacture of polyurethane, substituted aromatics used in specialty polymers and more.
Building on five decades of research and development and experience from several hundred successful pilot tests and installed plants, GEA offers extensive technical expertise to develop applications, demonstrate the feasibility of Melt Crystallization processes, and produce samples in our advanced test centers.
Tests tailored to customers’ specific requirements can be conducted at our GEA NIRO PT test facility in ’s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands. Our experts will generate a suitable test plan and execute the pilot tests. Because our pilot plants are designed using the same principles as the commercial units, they provide the key information needed for scale-up and design of a commercial installation.
With continuous and stable operation at low temperatures, minimal need for solvent recovery, reduced waste byproducts, and low energy consumption compared with conventional separation technologies, GEA Melt Crystallization delivers high-purity crystals even under demanding conditions. Let’s continue the conversation – reach out to us with your specific inquiry.
