Sensor and Control Element Considerations

A correctly selected and sized crystallizer and a control strategy incorporating the best understanding of crystallization kinetics 

In continuous adiabatic evaporative crystallizers, the temperature distribution in the vessel is a function of the operating level. (The pumping rate also affects the distribution but is not subject to change during normal operation.) The surface temperature is set 

Pressure. The location of pressure sensors in evaporative crystallizers also affect their reliability. If the operating pressure measurement is made in the vacuum line or condenser, it will be affected by the evaporation rate of the solvent and pressure drop changes due to any incrustation in the lines or mist eliminator. Measurement of the pressure in the vessel headspace circumvents this interaction. The sensor should be equipped with a solvent flush line to ensure that incrustation does not distort the measurement. 

Level sensors that depend on a pressure difference between two points, one submerged and one in the vapor, are subject to the same installation considerations described for pressure measurement. The inferred level measurement is more accurate when determined by a differential pressure transducer using remote diaphragms than when calculated from the difference between two absolute pressure transducers due to errors from calibration and transducer drift. In either case, the measurement is affected by changes in the weight percent solids in the solution an increase in the liquid density would be interpreted as an increase in the level. Ultrasonic level sensors are not affected by the slurry density but are sensitive to fouling. 

Nonintrusive sensors that can be maintained at the process temperature are ideally suited to measure the flow rate of feed and product streams. Magnetic flow meters are suitable and inexpensive choice for aqueous streams. Organic streams with low dielectric constants require a vibrating tube mass flow meter to satisfy these criteria. Although commonly installed, flow meters that operate by inducing a pressure drop proportional to the flow rate present restrictions for solids accumulation that may alter the calibration. An alternative approach is to monitor the rotational speed of a positive displacement pump. Accuracy of this method is subject to wear and tolerances in the pump. 

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