Measurement of Crystal Formation Using a Quartz Crystal Sensor

Measurement of supersaturation is important in crystallization processes, because it is one of key factors to control crystal size distribution and shape determining product quality. A monitoring system of the supersaturation using a quartz crystal sensor is applied to the supersaturation measurement. From the variation of resonant frequency, the beginning of the formation of salt crystal on the sensor surface is detected while the sensor is directly cooled down. The degree of supersaturation is computed from the solubility difference at the temperatures of the salt solution and the sensor. The performance of the propsed system of the supersaturation measurement is examined by applying the system to the crystallization of three different salt solutions. The experimental outcome compared with eye observation result and photographic analysis indicates that the proposed system is effective and useful to determine the supersaturation in the crystallization process. In addition, the microscopic monitoring of the initial stage crystallization is available with the sensor system.