Investigating surface crystal growth using an intrinsic exposed core optical fibre sensor

Surface, or heterogeneous crystallisation processes, also known as scale formation, has been monitored directly using an intrinsic, exposed core optical fibre sensor (IECOFS). Optical attenuation was found to be linearly correlated with scale layer height and average crystal contact area and the optical signal was found to be restored following chemical removal of deposited crystals (without physical intervention). The IECOFS was found to be insensitive to bulk-solution (homogenous) crystallisation processes, making it a potentially powerful tool for the study of heterogeneous-only crystallisation processes. Kinetic parameters extracted from the obtained crystallisation measurements showed that the IECOFS is capable of providing a reliable means of monitoring surface crystal growth.