WASH COLUMN APPARATUS WITH A STATIC GRID ELEMENT FOR THE USE IN A SUSPENSION CRYSTALLIZATION PROCESS

A wash column apparatus for the use in a suspension crystallization process for separating crystals from a crystal suspension mixture includes a cylindrical vessel including a piston with a piston head including a filter and a piston rod, movable in the cylindrical vessel, an inlet for supplying a crystal suspension mixture into the cylindrical vessel, an outlet for discharging mother liquor from the cylindrical vessel, an outlet for discharging crystals or crystal melt from the cylindrical vessel, a circulation conduit for circulating melt arranged outside the vessel, in communication with the wash chamber, a static grid element arranged in the wash chamber for restricting movement of the crystal bed and for directing the wash liquid entering into the cylindrical vessel from the circulation conduit so as to homogeneously distribute it over the entire cross-section of the wash column.