From the Author's Preface

There is a growing demand for ultrapure organic compounds such as fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and basic materials for use in the polymer industry. . . . In quite a number of cases, it is difficult or impossible to manufacture ultrapure organics efficiently using conventional separation techniques such as distillation. Moreover, conventional techniques usually require large amounts of energy.

To improve the purification efficiency of organics, special techniques based on crystallization from the melt have been developed. Melt crystallization meets industry's need for a highly selective separation process for organic compounds which operates at low enough temperatures to prevent thermal degradation. Melt crystallization processes have the added advantage that they are energy-efficient and ecologically sound.

Melt crystallization techniques appear to be particularly promising for upgrading organic materials and are one of the few routes that appear to be feasible for purifying starter materials for high-tech polymers. The aim of this book is to provide basic information on melt crystallization technology. . . . This monograph consists of three parts: 1. basic principles, 2. process options, and 3. technical equipment and applicability.

This new book is the first unified guide and reference to an important chemical process technology. It is comprehensive and organized for easy reference. More than 150 diagrammatic representations, flow charts and photographs illustrate equipment and processes. More than 40 tables provide useful reference data.

The Author

Dr. Arkenbout studied chemistry at the University of Utrecht, and joined TNO, the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research. He has specialized in research on new separation processes and has had thirty of his articles on this subject published. He recently retired from the position of manager of physical separation research, but has remained active in this field through affiliations with the Laboratory of Solid State Chemistry at the University of Nijmegen, the Laboratory for Process Equipment, Delft University of Technology, and TNO.