Determination of metastable zone width, mean particle size and detectable number density using video imaging in an oscillatory baffled crystallizer

Abstract

This work aims to show the viability of applying video imaging techniques to the cooling crystallization of paracetamol in an oscillatory baffled crystallizer for the determination of the metastable zone width and crystal size distribution. From these data, the effects of supersaturation and mixing on metastable zone width and mean particle size are examined. Both sets of data are in good agreement with previous studies in a stirred tank and oscillatory baffled crystallizers. Finally, utilizing the Kubota's interpretation of metastable zone width, we demonstrated that the video imaging techniques are as sensitive to nucleation events as FBRM probes.