Method for the Solution Crystallization of Mixtures of Substances

Abstract

A method for solution crystallization of mixtures of substances includes: providing a liquid mixture of substances including at least one component substance having an elevated melting point; drawing off a substream from the mixture of substances; feeding the substream to a heat exchanger so that the substream flows through the heat exchanger; cooling the substream in the heat exchanger to a temperature below a crystallization temperature of only the at least one component substance so that crystals from the at least one component substance form in the substream at an outlet of the heat exchanger; blending the substream including the crystals into the mixture of substances so that the crystals in the mixture of substances selectively bind other substances as a result of crystal growth; and providing for sedimentation and precipitation of the crystals in the mixture of substances.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method for solution crystallization of mixtures of substances, the method comprising:
 a) providing a liquid mixture of substances including at least one component substance having an elevated melting point;   b) drawing off a substream from the mixture of substances;   c) feeding the substream to a heat exchanger so that the substream flows through the heat exchanger;   c) cooling the substream in the heat exchanger to a temperature below a crystallization temperature of only the at least one component substance so that crystals from the at least one component substance form in the substream at an outlet of the heat exchanger;   d) blending the substream including the crystals into the mixture of substances so that the crystals in the mixture of substances selectively bind other substances as a result of crystal growth; and   e) providing for sedimentation and precipitation of the crystals in the mixture of substances.   
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising intermixing subsequent to the blending and prior to the providing for sedimentation and precipitation. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising conveying the substream in the heat exchanger in fluid guides having diameters smaller than 1 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising conveying the substream in the heat exchanger in fluid guides having diameters smaller than 1 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising expanding the mixture of substances at the outlet of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising expanding the mixture of substances at the outlet of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited, in  claim 13 , further comprising tempering the heat exchanger by a fluid. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited, in  claim 14 , further comprising tempering the heat exchanger by a fluid. 
     
     
         21 . The method as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the fluid includes a blend of ethylene glycol and water. 
     
     
         22 . The method as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the fluid has a boiling temperature point corresponding to the temperature below the crystallization temperature of only the at least one component substance and at which vaporization occurs in the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         23 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the mixture of substances is not intermixed and separately cooled during the crystal growth. 
     
     
         24 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the mixture of substances includes a blend of saturated and unsaturated methyl esters. 
     
     
         25 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the mixture of substances includes a blend of saturated and unsaturated methyl esters. 
     
     
         26 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the mixture of substances includes a blend of saturated and unsaturated methyl esters. 
     
     
         27 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the mixture of substances includes a blend of saturated and unsaturated methyl esters. 
     
     
         28 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the mixture of substances includes a fuel. 
     
     
         29 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the mixture of substances includes a fuel. 
     
     
         30 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the mixture of substances includes a fuel. 
     
     
         31 . The method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein the fuel includes a biodiesel including recycled cooking oils. 
     
     
         32 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the heat exchanger is a cross-flow micro heat exchanger or a counter-flow micro heat exchanger.