QUCC Computer Controlled Crystallization Unit

The Computer Controlled Crystallization Unit, "QUCC", is a unit for the study of the cooling crystallization process. EDIBON has designed this unit to study the crystallization reaction of those constituents whose solubility changes with the temperature.

This unit is devised to perform batch crystallization, that is, the crystallizer is filled once with the solute and solvent until the supersaturated solution is obtained and crystals are obtained from that solution.

The "QUCC" unit includes a crystallizer, which is basically a jacketed chemical reactor. There is a bath outside the crystallizer, through which the reaction temperature is controlled. The solution is stirred by a stirrer located at the upper side of the crystallizer. Besides, there is a temperature sensor at the upper side of the crystallizer to know the temperature of the solution inside at any moment.

The unit also includes a conductivity sensor to know the conductivity of the solution when it is required.

To obtain the supersaturated solution, it must be heated so that it is able to dissolve a higher concentration of solute at high temperatures. There is a thermostatic bath to supply water to the crystallizer's jacket. Its control is done through the software by means of a PID.

Once a supersaturated solution at a high temperature is obtained, the crystallization stage starts. For that purpose introduce cold or room temperature water. The unit includes a pressure regulation valve kept to the minimum pressure.

A sample of the collected product is analyzed with the filters set provided with the unit. The size of generated crystals can be obtained thus.

With the additional recommended element Computer Controlled Continuous Feed Unit, "QUCC/C", this unit becomes a continuous crystallization unit.

This Computer Controlled Unit is supplied with the EDIBON Computer Control System (SCADA), and includes: The unit itself + a Control Interface Box + a Data Acquisition Board + Computer Control, Data Acquisition and Data Management Software Packages, for controlling the process and all parameters involved in the process.