Chemistry: physical processes – Physical processes – Crystallization
Patent
1991-06-19
1992-12-22
Straub, Gary P.
Chemistry: physical processes
Physical processes
Crystallization
23300, 156DIG62, B01D 902
Patent
active
051730871
ABSTRACT:
Gravitational phenomena, including convection, sedimentation, and interactions of materials with their containers all affect the crystal growth process. If they are not taken into consideration they can have adverse effects on the quantity and quality of crystals produced. As a practical matter, convection and sedimentation can be completely eliminated only under conditions of low gravity attained during orbital flight. There is, then, an advantage to effecting crystallization in space. But in the absence of of convection in a microgravity environment cooling proceeds by thermal diffusion from the walls to the center of the solution chamber. This renders control of nucleation difficult. Accordingly there is a need for a new and improved nucleation process in space. Herein crystals are nucleated by creating a small localized region of high relative supersaturation in a host solution at a lower degree of supersaturation.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2591067 (1952-02-01), Hermann
patent: 3941648 (1976-03-01), Blank
patent: 4917707 (1990-04-01), Claramonte et al.
patent: 4919900 (1990-04-01), Martin et al.
Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3rd Ed., vol. 7, John Wiley & Sons, 1979 pp. 243-251.
Kroes Roger L.
Lehoczky Sandor L.
Reiss Donald A.
Broad, Jr. Robert L.
Kalinchak Stephen G.
Manning John R.
Miller Guy M.
Straub Gary P.
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