Crystallization process and nucleation kinetics of Mg2+//SO42−, NO3−-H2O system

Abstract

Abstract In order to achieve efficient recovery of ions from the simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification wastewater, the effects of various factors (i.e. the saturation temperature, the cooling termination temperature, the stirring rate and the cooling rate) on crystallization yield, metastable zone width and crystal morphology were investigated to determine the optimal crystallization conditions of Mg2+//SO42−, NO3–-H2O system. According to the results of experiments, the nucleation kinetics were also speculated by Nývlt self-consistent equation and classical 3D nucleation theory. Also, the crystallization products were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Under the determined optimal conditions, the yield of the crystal can reach 78%, and the crystal products were verified as pure MgSO4· 7H2O, whose morphology is complete without defects.