the chord length distribution
of crystals in the slurry formed during the 90 min
crystallization of RBDPO at 14°C. Total count for
small crystals was high since at the beginning of
crystallization period which is as early as 5 min crystallization. Throughout the 50 min crystallization,
less than 120counts/sec were recorded with peak
size range between 5 to 7 µm (Figure 3). The count
gradually increased until the end of the 90 min
crystallization period reaching 800counts/sec with
no further difference in peak size range (Figure
3B). As for large crystals, the count was very low
throughout the 90 min crystallization period with
less than 3.8counts/sec. (Figure 4). Two peak sizes
(50 and 100 µm) were observed during the 30 min
crystallization (Figure 4A). The larger size range
could be due to the formation of crystal agglomerates
where at high supercooling temperature (14°C), more
crystals were formed. As a result, there is a high
tendency for the crystals to adhere to each other with
time and form agglomerates. Large agglomerates
may be formed due to the poor heat transfer and
slow agitation (Patience et al., 1999). A considerably
slow agitation rate at 90 rpm used in this study may
also be the contributing factor to the formation of