Solids removal theory coefficient

The diffusion theory states that matter is deposited in a continuous way on the surface of a crystal at a rate proportional to the difference in concentration between the bulk and the surface of the crystal. The mathematical analysis is then the same as for other diffusion and mass transfer processes and makes use of the film concept. Sometimes, the film theory is considered to be an oversimplification for crystallization and is replaced by a random surface removal theory (20-23). For both theories the rate of crystal growth (dm/dt) is given by equation XVII, where m, is the mass of solid deposited in time t k, the mass transfer coefficient by diffusion. A, the surface area of the crystal, c, the concentration in the supersaturated solution and Cj, the concentration at the crystal-solution interface (3). For the stagnant film and random surface removal model, equations XVIII and XIX can be used, respectively (3,4) D is the diffusion coefficient, x, the film thickness and f, the fractionai rate of surface renewal. 

The efficiency of a stage or plate in a distillation, absorption, or extraction operation is a function of the mass-transfer rates and transfer coefficients. When material is removed from a permeable solid, as in leaching or drying operations, the transfer rates and sometimes the stage efficiencies can be estimated from diffusion theory. 

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