MECHANISM OF CRYSTALLIZATION IN AGITATED SOLUTIONS

Abstract

A new concept of molecular cluster dynamics in turbulent flows is used to develop a physical model and mechanism of homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation in solutions. The proposed physical model considers the motion of molecular clusters in centrifugal fields of free eddies induced in turbulent flows. The clusters are moved to an eddy boundary region where they are concentrated and aggregated to form critical nuclei. It is shown theoretically that a critical fluid velocity exists, below which nuclei are not formed, and that its value depends upon the degree of solution supersaturation. The nucleation theory takes into account the hydrodynamic parameters of the process and permits calculation of the number of nuclei formed. Satisfactory agreement was obtained between calculated values and published experimental data.