Recent advances in melt crystallization, towards process intensification and technique development

Abstract

Melt crystallization has been considered as a green separation technique and widely applied in industry and manufacture due to several attractive features, including no need for a solvent, achieving specific product properties, and several process merits. This paper systematically reviews process intensification approaches in melt crystallization. Firstly, process models are discussed based on the crystallization and sweating processes, and process models and parameters are summarized to describe the process efficiency, separation performance and inclusion migration rules. Secondly, the process intensification approaches are summarized based on technique innovation and device optimization. Lastly, the recent advanced applications of melt crystallization in pharmaceutical and ultrapure product preparation fields are also included. Furthermore, the critical concerns for further research and perspectives are proposed.