PROCESS AND AN APPARATUS FOR CRYSTALLIZING A SUBSTANCE DISSOLVED IN A LIQUID IN ZERO GRAVITY

摘要

A method is described to crystallize out a substance that is dissolved in a liquid that is in a state of zero gravity. In order to minimize any structural defects that are found in the mono-crystals that have been crystallized out to the greatest extent possible, it is proposed that during the crystallization process the liquid is retained in a quasi-freely suspended sphere of liquid, and the substance within the liquid is crystallized out with the help of known methods. It is expedient that the sphere of liquid is retained freely suspended within a space that is defined from the outside by retaining elements. In a suitable apparatus these retaining elements can be attached to the inside walls of the container.