Effects of temperature on the crystallization of potassium nitrate by direct measurement of supersaturation

A laboratory continuous mixed-suspension, mixed-product-removal crystallizer was used to study the effects of temperature on the kinetics of crystallization of potassium nitrate. A differential refractometer was used to continuously monitor the supersaturation permitting the measurement of supersaturation levels of order 10−3Kg solute/Kg water. The nucleation rate exhibited an inverse relationship with temperature.