Evaluation of growth kinetics of antisolvent crystallization of paracetamol in an oscillatory baffled crystallizer utilizing video imaging

This work aims to show the potential of applying video imaging techniques to antisolvent crystallization of paracetamol in an oscillatory baffled crystallizer for the determination of crystal size distribution and mean crystal size with a high level of accuracy in comparison with the values measured with a Mastersizer. From these data, the effects of supersaturation, addition rate, and mixing on growth rate are examined and crystal growth kinetics extracted for various operational parameters. The kinetic data so generated are in good agreement with these from previous studies in stirred tank systems. It was found that the degree of supersaturation has the most significant effect on the overall growth rates, followed closely by the degree of mixing and then the rate of antisolvent addition. Both the kinetics and process data could be used as the tool for the design and operation of antisolvent crystallization.