Entropy generation minimization for isothermal crystallization processes with a generalized mass diffusion law

Entropy generation minimization for a class of isothermal crystallization processes with a generalized mass diffusion law is investigated in this paper. For the given total mass of crystals, the optimality condition corresponding to the MEG (Minimum Entropy Generation) of the process is obtained firstly, and special cases for both the linear [g proportional to Delta(mu)] and the diffusive [g proportional to Delta(c)] mass diffusion laws are further derived. The optimization results are also compared with the two different mass diffusion strategies of CKCC (Constant Key Component Concentration) and CMDF (Constant Mass Diffusion Flux) operations. The results indicate that for the case with the linear law, the entropy generation rate for the MEG of the process keeps constant, and the total entropy generations for the strategies of CKCC and CMDF operations are equal to each other; while for the case with the diffusive law, the entropy generation rate for the MEG of the process decreases with the time, and the strategy of CMDF is superior to that of CKCC. The results can provide important guidelines for optimal design and operation-of the crystallization processes in engineering. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.