Anna Zaykovskaya: Influence of viscosity on crystallization of sugars and sugar alcohols from aqueous solutions

Content of the thesis: 

The thesis investigates the potential of continuous crystallization as an innovative and sustainable method for purifying sugar alcohols—compounds widely valued as sweeteners and stabilizers in both food and pharmaceutical industries. Sugar alcohols, which are integral to creating products like low-calorie foods, chewing gum, and medication coatings, require exceptionally high purity for safe and effective use. However, achieving this purity poses a significant challenge due to the high viscosity of sugar alcohol solutions. This viscosity complicates traditional purification methods, making them energy-intensive, costly, and prone to producing excess waste.

The core research question centers on how to address these challenges by refining crystallization techniques to overcome the issues posed by viscosity. The study demonstrates that a continuous crystallization approach can maintain the desired purity levels in viscous solutions while significantly reducing the environmental impact typically associated with conventional purification methods. Through systematic experimentation, the research successfully developed techniques that lower energy requirements and waste output, ultimately creating a cleaner and more efficient purification process.

The study’s findings represent a breakthrough in green chemistry and sustainable manufacturing, illustrating how high-viscosity substances like sugar alcohols can be processed in ways that are both energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. This work aligns with a growing global emphasis on sustainability, offering industries an alternative pathway to achieving product purity without compromising ecological responsibility. The implications of this research extend beyond sugar alcohols, showing promise for similar applications in other high-viscosity chemical processes where purity and sustainability are critical.

By contributing to the field’s broader understanding of sustainable purification, this research provides valuable insights that can support industries in adopting cleaner practices while still meeting stringent product standards. The dissertation defense, scheduled for November 14th, will delve deeper into these findings, highlighting the potential of continuous crystallization to shape the future of industrial chemical purification.

Opponent: Professor Adrian Flood, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology, School of Energy Science and Engineering (ESE), Thailand

Supervisor: Professor Marjatta Louhi-Kultanen, Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering

Link to electronic thesis: LINK

Link to the remote defence: LINK