Research

Engineering Sciences

Title :

A breakthrough revolution in crystallization technology by nanobubbles as nuclei agents

Area of research :

Engineering Sciences

Principal Investigator :

Dr. Neelkanth Nirmalkar, Indian Institute Of Technology (IIT) Ropar, Punjab

Timeline Start Year :

2023

Timeline End Year :

2026

Contact info :

Equipments :

Details

Executive Summary :

This proposal explores nanobubble assisted crystallization in salt solution, focusing on the impact of surface charge on nanobubbles on crystal yield, crystal growth, nucleation rate, and energy density. It compares this approach with sono-crystallzation and plans to study the effect of nanobubbles on aggregation kinetics using Population balance model simulations. The proposal aims to overcome major challenges in industrial crystallization, such as inefficient mixing, high energy requirements for cooling and mixing, lack of control over crystal size and shape, poor yield, and scaling up. Nanobubbles offer several benefits, including efficient mixing at the nanoscale, energy savings due to early solid nucleation, precise control over crystal size and shape, and increased yield due to nanobubbles acting as nuclei agents for crystallization. The technology has already been scaled up in engineering and medical sectors, and the generators can be retrofitted into existing crystallizers, making installation easier. The primary experiments confirm the potential of nanobubbles in revolutionizing the convection crystallization process.

Total Budget (INR):

26,03,820

Organizations involved