WO2016107968A1 - Method and apparatus for continuous crystallization and use thereof - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for continuous crystallization and use thereof Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016107968A1
WO2016107968A1 PCT/FI2015/050867 FI2015050867W WO2016107968A1 WO 2016107968 A1 WO2016107968 A1 WO 2016107968A1 FI 2015050867 W FI2015050867 W FI 2015050867W WO 2016107968 A1 WO2016107968 A1 WO 2016107968A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
crystallization
reactor
unit
starting material
crystals
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2015/050867
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Vesa Karvonen
Antti HÄKKINEN
Marjatta LOUHI-KULTANEN
Tuomas Koiranen
Original Assignee
Lappeenrannan Teknillinen Yliopisto
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Publication of WO2016107968A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016107968A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D9/00—Crystallisation
    • B01D9/0081—Use of vibrations, e.g. ultrasound
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D9/00—Crystallisation
    • B01D9/0004—Crystallisation cooling by heat exchange
    • B01D9/0013—Crystallisation cooling by heat exchange by indirect heat exchange
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D9/00—Crystallisation
    • B01D9/005—Selection of auxiliary, e.g. for control of crystallisation nuclei, of crystal growth, of adherence to walls; Arrangements for introduction thereof
    • B01D9/0054—Use of anti-solvent
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J19/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J19/08—Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor
    • B01J19/10—Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor employing sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J19/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J19/24—Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
    • B01J19/2415—Tubular reactors

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for continu ⁇ ous crystallization as defined in the preamble of claim 1, and to an apparatus for continuous crystallization as defined in the preamble of claim 6, and to the use thereof .
  • Crystallization is widely used in the chemicals industry. At best, crystallization provides the purest possible chemical quality. Crystallization is most commonly car- ried out as batch crystallization. In addition, contin ⁇ uous crystallization arrangements are known, but their functioning on an industrial scale has often presented problems .
  • the objective of the invention is to disclose a new and well-functioning method for continuous crys ⁇ tallization. Another objective of the invention is to disclose a new and well-functioning apparatus for con- tinuous crystallization. Another objective of the invention is to provide a crystallization arrangement that is easily adjustable to an industrial process. An ⁇ other objective of the invention is to disclose a crys ⁇ tallization arrangement in which the crystals that are being formed can be modified.
  • the invention is based on a method for continuous crystallization.
  • starting material is fed to a crystallization unit which comprises at least one crystallization reactor, and the starting material is treated by continuous crystallization in at least one crystallization reactor for forming crystals, and ultrasound is applied in connection with crystalli ⁇ zation .
  • the invention is based on an apparatus for continuous crystallization, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one crystallization unit for forming crystals, which crystallization unit comprises at least one crystallization reactor for treating starting materi- al by continuous crystallization, and the crystallization reactor comprises at least one reactor tube inside which the starting material flows in the crystallization reactor, and at least one ultrasound device for providing ul ⁇ trasound to the crystallization reactor in connection with crystallization.
  • the starting material refers in this connection to one starting material or several starting materials.
  • the starting material may contain one or more starting components, such as chemicals, compounds or substances, forming the component that is subjected to crystalliza ⁇ tion or that undergoes crystallization.
  • the starting material may further contain a solvent.
  • the starting material may also contain another suitable constituent, such as an additive that has an effect on the appearance of the crystals.
  • the starting material is preferably a solution containing a suitable solvent and one or more starting components, such as chemicals, compounds or substances, of which crystals can be formed by crystallization.
  • the start ⁇ ing component that participates in the crystallization is dissolved.
  • the starting material con ⁇ tains a solvent which can be selected from any suitable solvent, e.g. water, organic solvent, binary solvent, other suitable solvent and mixtures thereof.
  • the starting material is a 1 liquid phase solution.
  • the starting material con ⁇ tains a solvent mixture.
  • the starting material contains a solvent mixture which is selected from the group of: a mixture of water and organic solvent, a mixture of water and alcoholic solvent, a mix ⁇ ture of two organic solvents which contains an organic solvent A and an organic solvent B, and combinations thereof.
  • the solvent mixture may be an- other suitable solvent mixture.
  • starting material is fed to at least one crystallization unit.
  • starting material is fed to more than one crys ⁇ tallization units arranged in parallel.
  • ultrasound in applied during crystallization In one embodiment, ultrasound in applied only during crystallization. In one embodiment, ultrasound is applied after the actual crystallization, e.g. for reducing crystal agglomerates or to prevent fouling of the tubular surfaces.
  • the ultra ⁇ sound is provided to the crystallization unit in such a way that the ultrasound is applied inside the crystal ⁇ lization reactor. In one embodiment the crystallization reactor is insulated in such a way that the ultrasound is applied inside the crystallization reactor. In one embodiment the crystallization reactor is insulated in such a way that the ultrasound only has an effect in ⁇ side the crystallization reactor, and feeding of starting material is carried out without the effect of ul ⁇ trasound .
  • the crystallization is se ⁇ lected from the group of: cooling crystallization, reactive crystallization, antisolvent crystallization or other suitable crystallization.
  • crystallization it is meant that the starting components, such as chemi- cals, compounds or substances, are brought to a crys ⁇ talline form or that a product resulting from the starting components is formed in a crystalline form.
  • solubility of the starting compo ⁇ nents is changed, and crystallization is based on the solubility difference.
  • the temperature, initial content of the starting component in the starting mate ⁇ rial and/or ratio of the starting component to solvent are adjusted per crystallization unit. In one embodi- ment the temperature, initial content of the starting component in the starting material and/or ratio of the starting component to solvent are adjusted in each crystallization reactor.
  • the crystals, crystal size and/or surface properties of the crystal can be modified during crys ⁇ tallization.
  • separate crystals preferably no agglomerates, are formed in the crystal ⁇ lization unit.
  • the crystals are formed in a controlled manner in the invention, and the crystals being formed can be different polymorphs of the crystallizable sub ⁇ stance. A desired crystal size distribution can also be obtained.
  • rounder crystals and smoother crystal surfaces can be formed. Clogging is an obvious risk in tubular device parts, and rounder and smoother crystals provide more easily flowable and treatable streams for any type of processing.
  • the angle of repose of round and smooth-surfaced crystals as measured by the Carr flowability test is typically less than 40°, and respectively the value of the Hausner ra- tio which is based on powder density measurements may be less than 1.25.
  • the adherence of crystals on the surfaces of devices can be prevented and the formation of crystal nuclei increased by means of ultrasound.
  • the size, shape and surface roughness of the crystals can be adjusted by means of ultrasound.
  • the shape and surface properties of the crystals have an effect on the end product as well as on the separation of the crystals from liquid.
  • small crystals of uniform quality and desired shape are formed by the invention. Small crystals dissolve more quickly than large crystals, which is an advantage particularly in pharmaceutical applications .
  • the apparatus according to the in- vention is a modular structure wherein the crystalliza ⁇ tion unit functions as a crystallization module.
  • the apparatus comprises more than one crys ⁇ tallization unit.
  • the apparatus com ⁇ prises same-sized crystallization units in which there are the same number of crystallization reactors.
  • the apparatus comprises crystallization units in which there are a different number of crystal ⁇ lization reactors.
  • the crystalliza ⁇ tion units are arranged in parallel, whereby all crys- tallization units or just some of the crystallization units can be used.
  • the crystalliza ⁇ tion unit comprises 1 - n crystallization reactors, wherein n preferably denotes a number from 2 to 6.
  • the crystallization unit comprises at least two crystallization reactors.
  • the crystallization reactors are arranged one behind anoth ⁇ er in the crystallization unit.
  • the reactor tube is replace ⁇ able in the crystallization reactor and/or the diameter of the reactor tube is modifiable inside the crystalli ⁇ zation reactor.
  • the reactor tube is replaceable in the crystallization reactor.
  • the crystallization reactor arranged in the crystallization unit is replaceable.
  • the reactor tube can be packed in a small space in the invention.
  • the diameter of the reactor tube arranged inside the crystallization reactor is modifiable.
  • the diameter of the reactor tube is se ⁇ lected according to the application.
  • the flow velocity and residence time in the reactor tube can be varied.
  • the diameter of the reactor tube is 4 - 30 mm.
  • the crystallization unit comprises at least one temperature adjusting device for adjusting the temperature during crystallization.
  • the temperature adjusting device is pro- vided in connection with the crystallization reactor.
  • the temperature adjusting device is provided in connection with each crystallization reactor.
  • the temperature of each crystal ⁇ lization reactor is adjusted independently.
  • the temperature of the crystallization reac ⁇ tors of the crystallization unit is adjusted collec ⁇ tively. Exact temperature tracking and adjustment of the temperature can be carried out in the method and apparatus according to the invention due to the reactor tube in which the starting material flows.
  • the crystallization unit comprises one or more heat exchanger devices.
  • the crystallization reactor comprises one or more heat exchanger devices.
  • the apparatus comprises at least one feeding tank from which the starting material is fed to the crystallization unit or crystallization units. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises at least one feeding device for feeding the starting mate- rial to the crystallization unit or crystallization units. In one embodiment the crystallization unit com ⁇ prises at least one feeding tank from which the start ⁇ ing material is fed to the crystallization reactor, preferably to the first crystallization reactor. In one embodiment the crystallization unit comprises at least one feeding device for feeding the starting material to the crystallization reactor, preferably to the first crystallization reactor.
  • the crystallization unit comprises a recovery unit for recovering and/or separating crystals and/or liquid.
  • the crystallization unit comprises a separating device, e.g. a filtering device, a negative pressure separating device, a positive pressure separating device, a mem- brane separating device, a separating device based on the centrifugal force, or a separating device based on decantation or settling, for separating crystals and liquid.
  • the crystallization unit com ⁇ prises an intermediate tank for intermediate storage of the crystal-liquid mixture after the crystallization reactors.
  • the crystallization unit comprises feeding means for feeding the crystal-liquid mixture to the recovery unit, to the separating device or to a suchlike device.
  • the apparatus comprises a recovery unit, preferably a recovery module, for recov- ering and/or separating crystals and/or liquid.
  • the recovery module may comprise a separating device as de ⁇ scribed above for separating crystals and liquid.
  • the recovery module comprises an inter ⁇ mediate tank for intermediate storage of the crystal- liquid mixture after the crystallization reactors.
  • the recovery module comprises feeding means for feeding the crystal-liquid mixture to the separating device. Preferably, the recovery module is continuously operated.
  • the arrangement according to the invention mixing is provided in the reactor tube by means of ultra ⁇ sound, whereby separate mixing is preferably not neces ⁇ sary.
  • the arrangement according to the invention improves heat transfer, e.g. over the conventional pipe flow.
  • the ultrasound device used may by any device known per se for producing an ultrasound, e.g. an ultrasound trans ⁇ mitter or other suitable device for providing an ultrasound inside the crystallization reactor.
  • the crystallization reactor is pro ⁇ vided with an ultrasound bath.
  • the reactor tube of the crystallization reactor is immersed in the ultrasound bath.
  • the ultrasound bath is easily formable in the arrangement according to the invention in the crystallization reactor where ultrasound can be applied inside the reactor tube holding a liquid starting substance, and the temperature of the liquid starting substance is adjustable in the reactor tube. By means of the bath, heat transfer can be improved.
  • the use of ultrasound in the crystallization reactor is selectable, i.e. whether to use ultrasound or no during crystallization in the apparatus according to the invention.
  • the method and apparatus according to the in ⁇ vention can be used in the manufacture of fine chemi ⁇ cals, in the manufacture of special chemicals, in the manufacture of pharmaceutical drugs and in the manufac ⁇ ture of other chemicals, e.g. in the manufacture of various small chemical batches.
  • the method and apparatus according to the invention can be used in the treatment of wastewater, e.g. wastewater from the extractive industry.
  • the method and apparatus according to the invention can be used as a crystallization method or apparatus as such.
  • the method and apparatus according to the in- vention can be used as a pretreatment method or appa ⁇ ratus .
  • the crystallization time can be significantly shortened and loss reduced over a batch crystallizer .
  • the invention provides a crystalli ⁇ zation process without fouling and clogging of tubes and suchlike device parts.
  • mixing is not required in the crystallization and grinding is not required after the crystallization. Process malfunctions can be reduced due to the inven ⁇ tion .
  • Scaling the production and multiplication of production units can be easily carried out by adding parallel crystallization units. Due to the modular structure, the manufacturing costs of the apparatus can be reduced and its operative working life increased. In addition, due to the modular structure, process control and spare part service become easier and costs are re- symbolized. In addition, the apparatus according to the invention is easily integratable with existing processes. The apparatus and method according to the in ⁇ vention can be flexibly used in the manufacture of a variety of products. LIST OF FIGURES
  • Fig. 1 shows one apparatus according to the invention as a schematic illustration
  • Fig. 2 shows one apparatus according to the invention as a schematic illustration.
  • Fig. 1 shows one apparatus according to the invention.
  • the apparatus of Fig. 1 comprises one crys ⁇ tallization unit (1) for forming crystals (10) .
  • the crystallization unit (1) comprises at least two crys ⁇ tallization reactors (3) for treating starting material (2) by continuous crystallization.
  • the crystallization unit (1) comprises a feeding tank (8) and a feeding de ⁇ vice (not shown in the figure) for feeding the starting material (2) to the first crystallization reactor (3) .
  • the crystallization reactor (3) comprises at least one reactor tube (6) inside which the starting material (2) flows in the crystallization reactor.
  • the crystallization reactor comprises a reactor jacket (12) inside which the reactor tube is provided.
  • the crystal ⁇ lization unit (1) comprises at least one ultrasound de ⁇ vice (5) for providing ultrasound to the crystalliza ⁇ tion reactor during crystallization.
  • the crystallization unit (1) comprises temperature adjust- ing devices (7) which are provided in connection with the crystallization reactors (3) for adjusting the tem- perature during crystallization.
  • the crystallization unit (1) also comprises a recovery device (4), e.g. a separating device, for separating the crystals (10) from a crystal-liquid mixture (9) . Liquid (11) is re- moved from the recovery device (4) and if desired can be recycled to the crystallization as a solvent.
  • Fig. 2 shows one apparatus according to the invention.
  • the apparatus of Fig. 2 comprises two crys ⁇ tallization units (1) for forming crystals (10) .
  • the crystallization units (1) are arranged in parallel.
  • Each crystallization unit (1) comprises at least two crystallization reactors (3) for treating starting ma- terial (2) by continuous crystallization.
  • the crystallization unit (1) comprises a feeding tank (8) and a feeding device (not shown in the figure) for feeding the starting material (2) to the first crystallization reactor (3) .
  • the crystallization reactor (3) comprises at least one reactor tube inside which the starting ma ⁇ terial (2) flows in the crystallization reactor (3), and a reactor jacket.
  • the crystallization unit (1) comprises at least one ultrasound device (5) for providing ultrasound to the crystallization reactor during crys- tallization.
  • the crystallization unit (1) also comprises temperature adjusting devices (7) which are provided in connection with the crystallization reactors.
  • the crystallization unit (1) comprises a recovery device (4), e.g. a separating device, for separat- ing the crystals (10) from a crystal-liquid mixture (9) .
  • Liquid (11) is removed from the recovery device (4) and if desired can be recycled back to the crystal ⁇ lization as a solvent.
  • the starting material solution (2) is con- tinuously fed to the first crystallization reactor from the feeding tank (8) through thermostated tubes.
  • the crystallization reactors (3) have a reactor tube (6), and in connection with the crystallization reactors there is an ultrasound transmitter (5) .
  • the crystalli- zation reactors (3) are disposed one behind another, and the starting material solution (2) is arranged to flow from the preceding reactor to the next reactor.
  • the crystallization unit (1) comprises a recovery device (4), e.g. a suction filter, a filter dri- er or another such device, for separating the crystal product (10) and the mother liquor (11) .
  • a cooling thermostat in cooling crystallization or a dos- age tank and a mixing means in antisolvent crystalliza ⁇ tion .
  • the rate of crystallization can be adjusted by means of the number of the crystallization reactors (3), i.e. the more there are reactors, the slower the kinetics of crystallization.
  • the resulting crystal-liquid mixture (9), i.e. crystal slurry, is continuously fed after the crystal ⁇ lization reactors (3) to the recovery device (4) .
  • the residence time in the crystallization unit is 7 - 20 min in one embodiment.
  • the method and apparatus according to the in ⁇ vention are suitable as various embodiments for use in designing a variety of continuous crystallization arrangements and for use in connection with the manufac- ture of a variety of chemicals, pharmaceutical drugs or the like, or in the treatment of wastewater.

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for continuous crystallization. According to the invention, starting material (2) is fed to a crystallization unit (1) which comprises at least one crystallization reactor (3), and the starting material is treated by continuous crystallization in at least one crystallization reactor for forming crystals (10), and ultrasound is applied in connection with crystallization.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS CRYSTALLIZATION AND USE THEREOF
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method for continu¬ ous crystallization as defined in the preamble of claim 1, and to an apparatus for continuous crystallization as defined in the preamble of claim 6, and to the use thereof .
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various crystallization methods, e.g. cooling crystallization, precipitation crystallization, evaporation crystallization, reactive crystallization or an- tisolvent crystallization, and apparatuses for carrying out crystallization are known in the prior art. Crystallization is widely used in the chemicals industry. At best, crystallization provides the purest possible chemical quality. Crystallization is most commonly car- ried out as batch crystallization. In addition, contin¬ uous crystallization arrangements are known, but their functioning on an industrial scale has often presented problems . OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
The objective of the invention is to disclose a new and well-functioning method for continuous crys¬ tallization. Another objective of the invention is to disclose a new and well-functioning apparatus for con- tinuous crystallization. Another objective of the invention is to provide a crystallization arrangement that is easily adjustable to an industrial process. An¬ other objective of the invention is to disclose a crys¬ tallization arrangement in which the crystals that are being formed can be modified. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The method, apparatus and use according to the invention are characterized by the features presented in the claims.
The invention is based on a method for continuous crystallization. In the method, starting material is fed to a crystallization unit which comprises at least one crystallization reactor, and the starting material is treated by continuous crystallization in at least one crystallization reactor for forming crystals, and ultrasound is applied in connection with crystalli¬ zation .
Further, the invention is based on an apparatus for continuous crystallization, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one crystallization unit for forming crystals, which crystallization unit comprises at least one crystallization reactor for treating starting materi- al by continuous crystallization, and the crystallization reactor comprises at least one reactor tube inside which the starting material flows in the crystallization reactor, and at least one ultrasound device for providing ul¬ trasound to the crystallization reactor in connection with crystallization.
Starting material refers in this connection to one starting material or several starting materials. The starting material may contain one or more starting components, such as chemicals, compounds or substances, forming the component that is subjected to crystalliza¬ tion or that undergoes crystallization. The starting material may further contain a solvent. In one embodi¬ ment the starting material may also contain another suitable constituent, such as an additive that has an effect on the appearance of the crystals. The starting material is preferably a solution containing a suitable solvent and one or more starting components, such as chemicals, compounds or substances, of which crystals can be formed by crystallization. Preferably the start¬ ing component that participates in the crystallization is dissolved.
In one embodiment the starting material con¬ tains a solvent which can be selected from any suitable solvent, e.g. water, organic solvent, binary solvent, other suitable solvent and mixtures thereof.
In one embodiment the starting material is a 1 liquid phase solution.
In one embodiment the starting material con¬ tains a solvent mixture. In one embodiment the starting material contains a solvent mixture which is selected from the group of: a mixture of water and organic solvent, a mixture of water and alcoholic solvent, a mix¬ ture of two organic solvents which contains an organic solvent A and an organic solvent B, and combinations thereof. Alternatively the solvent mixture may be an- other suitable solvent mixture.
In one embodiment the starting material is fed to at least one crystallization unit. In one embodi¬ ment, starting material is fed to more than one crys¬ tallization units arranged in parallel.
In one embodiment, ultrasound in applied during crystallization. In one embodiment, ultrasound in applied only during crystallization. In one embodiment, ultrasound is applied after the actual crystallization, e.g. for reducing crystal agglomerates or to prevent fouling of the tubular surfaces. In one embodiment the ultra¬ sound is provided to the crystallization unit in such a way that the ultrasound is applied inside the crystal¬ lization reactor. In one embodiment the crystallization reactor is insulated in such a way that the ultrasound is applied inside the crystallization reactor. In one embodiment the crystallization reactor is insulated in such a way that the ultrasound only has an effect in¬ side the crystallization reactor, and feeding of starting material is carried out without the effect of ul¬ trasound .
In one embodiment the crystallization is se¬ lected from the group of: cooling crystallization, reactive crystallization, antisolvent crystallization or other suitable crystallization. By crystallization it is meant that the starting components, such as chemi- cals, compounds or substances, are brought to a crys¬ talline form or that a product resulting from the starting components is formed in a crystalline form. In crystallization, the solubility of the starting compo¬ nents is changed, and crystallization is based on the solubility difference.
In one embodiment the temperature, initial content of the starting component in the starting mate¬ rial and/or ratio of the starting component to solvent are adjusted per crystallization unit. In one embodi- ment the temperature, initial content of the starting component in the starting material and/or ratio of the starting component to solvent are adjusted in each crystallization reactor.
In the method and apparatus according to the invention the crystals, crystal size and/or surface properties of the crystal can be modified during crys¬ tallization. In one embodiment, separate crystals, preferably no agglomerates, are formed in the crystal¬ lization unit. The crystals are formed in a controlled manner in the invention, and the crystals being formed can be different polymorphs of the crystallizable sub¬ stance. A desired crystal size distribution can also be obtained. By means of the invention, rounder crystals and smoother crystal surfaces can be formed. Clogging is an obvious risk in tubular device parts, and rounder and smoother crystals provide more easily flowable and treatable streams for any type of processing. The angle of repose of round and smooth-surfaced crystals as measured by the Carr flowability test is typically less than 40°, and respectively the value of the Hausner ra- tio which is based on powder density measurements may be less than 1.25. In the invention the adherence of crystals on the surfaces of devices can be prevented and the formation of crystal nuclei increased by means of ultrasound. In addition, the size, shape and surface roughness of the crystals can be adjusted by means of ultrasound. The shape and surface properties of the crystals have an effect on the end product as well as on the separation of the crystals from liquid. In one preferred embodiment, small crystals of uniform quality and desired shape are formed by the invention. Small crystals dissolve more quickly than large crystals, which is an advantage particularly in pharmaceutical applications .
Preferably the apparatus according to the in- vention is a modular structure wherein the crystalliza¬ tion unit functions as a crystallization module. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises more than one crys¬ tallization unit. In one embodiment the apparatus com¬ prises same-sized crystallization units in which there are the same number of crystallization reactors. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises crystallization units in which there are a different number of crystal¬ lization reactors. In one embodiment the crystalliza¬ tion units are arranged in parallel, whereby all crys- tallization units or just some of the crystallization units can be used. In one embodiment the crystalliza¬ tion unit comprises 1 - n crystallization reactors, wherein n preferably denotes a number from 2 to 6. In one embodiment the crystallization unit comprises at least two crystallization reactors. Preferably the crystallization reactors are arranged one behind anoth¬ er in the crystallization unit.
In one embodiment the reactor tube is replace¬ able in the crystallization reactor and/or the diameter of the reactor tube is modifiable inside the crystalli¬ zation reactor. In one embodiment the reactor tube is replaceable in the crystallization reactor. In one embodiment the crystallization reactor arranged in the crystallization unit is replaceable. The reactor tube can be packed in a small space in the invention. In one embodiment the diameter of the reactor tube arranged inside the crystallization reactor is modifiable. In one embodiment the diameter of the reactor tube is se¬ lected according to the application. By modifying the diameter of the reactor tube, the flow velocity and residence time in the reactor tube can be varied. Ad¬ vantageously, by modifying the diameter of the reactor tube a laminar and a turbulent flow area can both be used. In one embodiment the diameter of the reactor tube is 4 - 30 mm.
In one embodiment the crystallization unit comprises at least one temperature adjusting device for adjusting the temperature during crystallization. In one embodiment the temperature adjusting device is pro- vided in connection with the crystallization reactor. In one embodiment the temperature adjusting device is provided in connection with each crystallization reactor. In one embodiment the temperature of each crystal¬ lization reactor is adjusted independently. In one em- bodiment the temperature of the crystallization reac¬ tors of the crystallization unit is adjusted collec¬ tively. Exact temperature tracking and adjustment of the temperature can be carried out in the method and apparatus according to the invention due to the reactor tube in which the starting material flows. In one embodiment the crystallization unit comprises one or more heat exchanger devices. In one embodiment the crystallization reactor comprises one or more heat exchanger devices.
In one embodiment the apparatus comprises at least one feeding tank from which the starting material is fed to the crystallization unit or crystallization units. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises at least one feeding device for feeding the starting mate- rial to the crystallization unit or crystallization units. In one embodiment the crystallization unit com¬ prises at least one feeding tank from which the start¬ ing material is fed to the crystallization reactor, preferably to the first crystallization reactor. In one embodiment the crystallization unit comprises at least one feeding device for feeding the starting material to the crystallization reactor, preferably to the first crystallization reactor.
In one embodiment the crystallization unit comprises a recovery unit for recovering and/or separating crystals and/or liquid. In one embodiment the crystallization unit comprises a separating device, e.g. a filtering device, a negative pressure separating device, a positive pressure separating device, a mem- brane separating device, a separating device based on the centrifugal force, or a separating device based on decantation or settling, for separating crystals and liquid. In one embodiment the crystallization unit com¬ prises an intermediate tank for intermediate storage of the crystal-liquid mixture after the crystallization reactors. In one embodiment the crystallization unit comprises feeding means for feeding the crystal-liquid mixture to the recovery unit, to the separating device or to a suchlike device.
In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a recovery unit, preferably a recovery module, for recov- ering and/or separating crystals and/or liquid. The recovery module may comprise a separating device as de¬ scribed above for separating crystals and liquid. In one embodiment the recovery module comprises an inter¬ mediate tank for intermediate storage of the crystal- liquid mixture after the crystallization reactors. In one embodiment the recovery module comprises feeding means for feeding the crystal-liquid mixture to the separating device. Preferably, the recovery module is continuously operated.
In the arrangement according to the invention, mixing is provided in the reactor tube by means of ultra¬ sound, whereby separate mixing is preferably not neces¬ sary. The arrangement according to the invention improves heat transfer, e.g. over the conventional pipe flow. The ultrasound device used may by any device known per se for producing an ultrasound, e.g. an ultrasound trans¬ mitter or other suitable device for providing an ultrasound inside the crystallization reactor. In one preferred embodiment the crystallization reactor is pro¬ vided with an ultrasound bath. In one embodiment the reactor tube of the crystallization reactor is immersed in the ultrasound bath. The ultrasound bath is easily formable in the arrangement according to the invention in the crystallization reactor where ultrasound can be applied inside the reactor tube holding a liquid starting substance, and the temperature of the liquid starting substance is adjustable in the reactor tube. By means of the bath, heat transfer can be improved.
In one embodiment the use of ultrasound in the crystallization reactor is selectable, i.e. whether to use ultrasound or no during crystallization in the apparatus according to the invention.
The method and apparatus according to the in¬ vention can be used in the manufacture of fine chemi¬ cals, in the manufacture of special chemicals, in the manufacture of pharmaceutical drugs and in the manufac¬ ture of other chemicals, e.g. in the manufacture of various small chemical batches. In addition, the method and apparatus according to the invention can be used in the treatment of wastewater, e.g. wastewater from the extractive industry. In one embodiment the method and apparatus according to the invention can be used as a crystallization method or apparatus as such. In one embodiment the method and apparatus according to the in- vention can be used as a pretreatment method or appa¬ ratus .
By means of the method and apparatus according to the invention, chemicals or pharmaceutical drugs with a high degree of purity can be manufactured in a continuous manner. The size and appearance as well as uniform quality of the crystals can also be positively governed due to the invention. Better control over the crystal formation is gained by means of the invention.
Due to the invention, the crystallization time can be significantly shortened and loss reduced over a batch crystallizer . The invention provides a crystalli¬ zation process without fouling and clogging of tubes and suchlike device parts. In addition, due to the in¬ vention, mixing is not required in the crystallization and grinding is not required after the crystallization. Process malfunctions can be reduced due to the inven¬ tion .
Scaling the production and multiplication of production units can be easily carried out by adding parallel crystallization units. Due to the modular structure, the manufacturing costs of the apparatus can be reduced and its operative working life increased. In addition, due to the modular structure, process control and spare part service become easier and costs are re- duced. In addition, the apparatus according to the invention is easily integratable with existing processes. The apparatus and method according to the in¬ vention can be flexibly used in the manufacture of a variety of products. LIST OF FIGURES
Fig. 1 shows one apparatus according to the invention as a schematic illustration, and
Fig. 2 shows one apparatus according to the invention as a schematic illustration.
DE TAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention will be described below by pre¬ senting detailed examples of its embodiments with ref¬ erence to the accompanying figures.
Example 1
Fig. 1 shows one apparatus according to the invention. The apparatus of Fig. 1 comprises one crys¬ tallization unit (1) for forming crystals (10) . The crystallization unit (1) comprises at least two crys¬ tallization reactors (3) for treating starting material (2) by continuous crystallization. The crystallization unit (1) comprises a feeding tank (8) and a feeding de¬ vice (not shown in the figure) for feeding the starting material (2) to the first crystallization reactor (3) . The crystallization reactor (3) comprises at least one reactor tube (6) inside which the starting material (2) flows in the crystallization reactor. In addition, the crystallization reactor comprises a reactor jacket (12) inside which the reactor tube is provided. The crystal¬ lization unit (1) comprises at least one ultrasound de¬ vice (5) for providing ultrasound to the crystalliza¬ tion reactor during crystallization. In addition, the crystallization unit (1) comprises temperature adjust- ing devices (7) which are provided in connection with the crystallization reactors (3) for adjusting the tem- perature during crystallization. The crystallization unit (1) also comprises a recovery device (4), e.g. a separating device, for separating the crystals (10) from a crystal-liquid mixture (9) . Liquid (11) is re- moved from the recovery device (4) and if desired can be recycled to the crystallization as a solvent.
Example 2
Fig. 2 shows one apparatus according to the invention. The apparatus of Fig. 2 comprises two crys¬ tallization units (1) for forming crystals (10) . The crystallization units (1) are arranged in parallel. Each crystallization unit (1) comprises at least two crystallization reactors (3) for treating starting ma- terial (2) by continuous crystallization. The crystallization unit (1) comprises a feeding tank (8) and a feeding device (not shown in the figure) for feeding the starting material (2) to the first crystallization reactor (3) . The crystallization reactor (3) comprises at least one reactor tube inside which the starting ma¬ terial (2) flows in the crystallization reactor (3), and a reactor jacket. The crystallization unit (1) comprises at least one ultrasound device (5) for providing ultrasound to the crystallization reactor during crys- tallization. The crystallization unit (1) also comprises temperature adjusting devices (7) which are provided in connection with the crystallization reactors. In addition, the crystallization unit (1) comprises a recovery device (4), e.g. a separating device, for separat- ing the crystals (10) from a crystal-liquid mixture (9) . Liquid (11) is removed from the recovery device (4) and if desired can be recycled back to the crystal¬ lization as a solvent. Example 3
In the crystallization unit (1) according to Fig. 1 which comprises two or more crystallization reactors (3), the starting material solution (2) is con- tinuously fed to the first crystallization reactor from the feeding tank (8) through thermostated tubes. The crystallization reactors (3) have a reactor tube (6), and in connection with the crystallization reactors there is an ultrasound transmitter (5) . The crystalli- zation reactors (3) are disposed one behind another, and the starting material solution (2) is arranged to flow from the preceding reactor to the next reactor. In addition, the crystallization unit (1) comprises a recovery device (4), e.g. a suction filter, a filter dri- er or another such device, for separating the crystal product (10) and the mother liquor (11) . In addition, in connection with the crystallization reactor (3) there is, depending on the crystallization method, a cooling thermostat in cooling crystallization or a dos- age tank and a mixing means in antisolvent crystalliza¬ tion .
In the crystallization unit (1), supersatura- tion of the starting material solution (2) is provided. Ultrasound provides the formation of nuclei and pre- vents fouling of the inner wall of the tube.
The rate of crystallization can be adjusted by means of the number of the crystallization reactors (3), i.e. the more there are reactors, the slower the kinetics of crystallization.
The resulting crystal-liquid mixture (9), i.e. crystal slurry, is continuously fed after the crystal¬ lization reactors (3) to the recovery device (4) . The residence time in the crystallization unit is 7 - 20 min in one embodiment. The method and apparatus according to the in¬ vention are suitable as various embodiments for use in designing a variety of continuous crystallization arrangements and for use in connection with the manufac- ture of a variety of chemicals, pharmaceutical drugs or the like, or in the treatment of wastewater.
The invention is not exclusively limited to the above examples, but many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A method for continuous crystallization, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that starting material which is a 1 liquid phase solution is fed to at least one crystallization unit arrangeable in parallel with other crystallization units and comprising at least one crystallization reactor, and the starting material is treated by continuous crystallization in at least one crystallization reactor with a reactor tube having a diameter which is selected according to the applica¬ tion, and the temperature is adjusted during crystalli¬ zation in the crystallization reactor, and ultrasound is applied during crystallization inside the crystalli- zation reactor for forming and modifying the crystals.
2. The method according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the starting material is a solu¬ tion containing a starting component and a solvent.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the crystallization is cooling crystallization or reactive crystallization.
4. The method according to any one of claims 1 -
3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the temperature, ini¬ tial content of the starting component in the starting material and/or ratio of the starting component to sol¬ vent are adjusted.
5. The method according to any one of claims 1 -
4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the crystals, crystal size and/or surface properties of the crystal are modi- fied during crystallization.
6. An apparatus for continuous crystallization, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the apparatus comprises at least one crystallization unit (1) for forming crystals (10), the crystallization unit being arrangeable in parallel with other crystallization units, and the crystallization unit (1) comprising at least one crys- tallization reactor (3) for continuous crystallization of starting material (2) which is a 1 liquid phase so¬ lution, and the crystallization reactor (3) comprises at least one reactor tube (6) which has a diameter se- lected according to the application and inside which the starting material (2) flows in the crystallization reactor and the crystals are formed and modified, and the crystallization unit (1) comprises at least one temperature adjusting device (7) for adjusting the tem- perature during crystallization in the crystallization reactor, and at least one ultrasound device (5) for providing ultrasound during crystallization inside the crystallization reactor.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the apparatus comprises more than one crystallization units (1) which are arranged in parallel.
8 . The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the reactor tube (6) is replaceable in the crystallization reactor (3) and/or the diameter of the reactor tube (6) is modifiable in¬ side the crystallization reactor.
9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 - 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the crystalliza- tion unit (1) comprises at least two crystallization re¬ actors ( 3 ) .
10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 - 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the crystalliza¬ tion unit (1) comprises at least one feeding device for feeding the starting material (2) to the crystallization reactor (3) .
11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 - 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the crystalliza¬ tion unit (1) comprises a separating device (4) for sep- arating the crystals (10) and liquid (11) .
12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 - 11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the crystalliza¬ tion reactor (3) comprises a reactor jacket (12), inside which the reactor tube (6) is provided.
13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 - 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the crystalliza¬ tion reactor (3) is provided with an ultrasound bath.
14. Use of the method according to any one of claims 1 - 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the method is used in the manufacture of fine chemicals, in the man¬ ufacture of special chemicals, in the manufacture of pharmaceutical drugs and in the manufacture of other chemicals, and in the treatment of wastewater.
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