Study of Supersaturation, Vibration Intensity and Time of Crystallization Variables in the Vibrated Bed Lactose Monohydrate Production Process

Abstract

Lactose monohydrate crystallization was carried out in a batch vibrated-bed crystallizer. The crystallization trials were performed to determinate yield and mean crystal size prediction models and effect determination of variables supersaturation level, dimensionless vibration number and process time, using a central composite design. The parameters range adopted were in accordance with a previous study with same component, approximated of industrial processes, and fixed temperature of 50 °C. An optimization was made using response prediction models. It was observed a significant effect of process parameters discussed and the effectiveness of response prediction models, which explained maximum errors below 0.86 % in optimized condition.