Use of hydrophobins as additives in the crystallization of solids

Abstract

Use of hydrophobins as auxiliaries in the crystallization of solids, in particular the use for producing gypsum from an aqueous phase.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A process for producing a solid, the process comprising the steps of crystallizing the solid from an aqueous phase by adding an auxiliary in an amount of 0.001% to 1% by weight based on the total amount of the aqueous phase, and separating the solid from the aqueous phase, wherein the auxiliary comprises a hydrophobin. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 9  wherein the pH of the aqueous phase is about pH 7 to about pH 11. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 9  wherein the solid comprises gypsum. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 9  wherein the solid comprises calcium carbonate. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 9  wherein the solid comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of gypsum and calcium carbonate, and wherein the process further comprises a flue gas desulfurization process. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 9  wherein the hydrophobin comprises a hydrophobin fusion. 
     
     
         15 . A method for crystallizing a solid wherein a hydrophobin is incorporated as an auxiliary soluble. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the solid is crystallized from a liquid phase. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the hydrophobin comprises 0.001% to 1% by weight based on the total amount of the liquid phase. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the liquid phase comprises an aqueous phase. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the pH of the aqueous phase is about pH 7 to about pH 11. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the solid comprises gypsum. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the solid comprises calcium carbonate. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the hydrophobin comprises a hydrophobin fusion.