https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-026-02342-7
Regular Article
Crystal size distribution for lactose and sucrose growth in a continuous crystallizer: theory versus experiment
Laboratory of Multi-Scale Mathematical Modeling, Department of Theoretical and Mathematical Physics, Ural Federal University, Lenin Avenue, 51, 620000, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
a
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Received:
15
January
2026
Accepted:
20
April
2026
Published online:
29
April
2026
Abstract
In this paper, we consider the continuous mode of volumetric crystallization with mass/heat exchange with the surrounding medium. A nonlinear mathematical model of kinetic and balance equations, boundary and initial conditions, taking into account the diffusion mechanism of particles in the space of their sizes, the removal of product crystals and mass/heat inflow/outflow is formulated. An exact analytical solution describing steady-state mode of continuous crystallization is derived with allowance for the Heaviside step classification functions that specify the size dependence of product removal and fines dissolution. The steady-state crystal-size distribution and growth rate of crystals are compared with the experimental data for lactose and sucrose crystallization. The theory is in good agreement with the experimental data.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to EDP Sciences, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
