Ultrasonic time-of-flight computed tomography for investigation of batch crystallisation processes

Abstract

Crystallisation is a crucial step in many industrial processes. Many sensors are being investigated for monitoring such processes to enhance the efficiency of them. Ultrasound techniques have been used for particle sizing characterization of liquid suspensions, in crystallisation process. An ultrasound tomography system with an array of ultrasound sensors can provide spatial information inside the process when compared to single-measurement systems. In this study, the batch crystallisation experiments have been conducted in a lab-scale reactor in calcium carbonate crystalli-sation. Real-time ultrasound tomographic imaging is done via a contactless ultrasound tomography sensor array. The effect of the injection rate and the stirring speed was considered as two control parameters in these crystallisation functions. Transmission mode ultrasound tomography comprises 32 piezoelectric transducers with central frequency of 40 kHz has been used. The process-based experimental investigation shows the capability of the proposed ultrasound tomography system for crystallisation process monitoring. Information on process dynamics, as well as process malfunction, can be obtained via the ultrasound tomography system.