A novel task-based design procedure is developed for the conceptual design of solution crystallization processes, that enables a hierarchical and sequential decomposition of the various tasks involved in the design of industrial crystallizers. This procedure involves three layers in the decomposition: the supply-chain layer, the process design layer and the control systems design layer. Due to space constraints, only the task-based design level in the process design layer is discussed. Here, an attempt is made to break down the crystallization process into a subset of basic physical functions (tasks) which are connected in a network. The network must accomplish the transformation of the feed into the product within quality specifications. The various network alternatives allow for the generation of superstructures to arrive at an optimum crystallization process, and a crystallizer configuration to realize this. Since the task-based design network is based on physical events, it can also be used in a compartmental modeling environment for analysis and optimization purpose.
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