Transport phenomena of growth-in-gel zeolite crystallization in microgravity

Secondary nucleation (SN) due to crystal sedimentation has been believed to be one of the major effects that causes smaller sizes of final zeolite crystals. The present investigation indicates that, in a reactor, this gravity-induced SN occurs only within a white opaque column termed the gel portion. Under normal gravity this portion shrinks to the bottom of the hydrothermal reactor, leaving a clear portion of solution at the top, due to depletion of the flocculated gel particles. Solution phase nucleation and crystallization is assumed and a correlation for the shrinkage is therefore derived, which shows good agreement with experimental observations. A non-dimensional parameter is suggested as a criterion for the occurrence of SN. Based on the parameter whether or not microgravity is beneficial to zeolite growth is discussed. Also, the growth mechanism and the transport phenomena in the absence of gravity are discussed.