FC Technology – Process

The Freeze Concentration (FC) process has many advantages such as its simplicity, low energy consumption compared to evaporative crystallization for instance , no scaling or corrosion issues and no need for addition of antiscaling chemicals.

In an FC process, a pre-cooled stream is being fed to the FC crystallizer where the solution is cooled further and ice crystals are formed. The slurry-like solution is then transported to the mechanical solid–liquid separation unit .

The quality of the ice can be improved by several washing steps done directly in the separation unit. This is necessary in order to remove the mother liquor trapped in between the ice crystals.

The products of the FC process are water, in the form of ice, which after melting can be disposed or reused in another process and a very concentrated stream which, depending on the application, is a product or a waste stream with significantly reduced volume.