Crystallization is essential for isolating intermediates or purifying final products in chemical processes. Continuous crystallization features various apparatus designs for producing crystalline products, with the continuous stirred tank crystallizer, or Mixed Suspension Mixed Product Removal (MSMPR) crystallizer, being particularly prominent due to its simple design and adaptability to existing batch processes. This thesis details the design, setup, and operation of a four-stage cascade of MSMPR crystallizers aimed at producing L-alanine crystals, focusing on improved control over product quality, specifically crystal size and distribution. The cascade uniquely separates nucleation and crystal growth phenomena, utilizing lateral and vertical overflow tubes for gentle suspension transfer by gravity. Initial experimental investigations were conducted to understand nucleation and growth kinetics, with controlled nucleation achieved through synthetic air gassing. Insights from crystallization kinetics and continuous operation led to the development of a guideline for MSMPR cascade design. This guideline serves as a resource for scientists and process engineers in crystallization, outlining necessary steps for efficient continuous crystallization process development and streamlining the path to final operation.
