A simplified model for mixed continuous antisolvent crystalliser

Antisolvent crystallization is one of the key separation processes used in the pharmaceutical and other chemical industries for the purification and recovery of crystalline solid products. In this work, we present a simplified model to simulate steady state performance of a mixed continuous antisolvent crystalliser. A simplified model is derived and is shown to be able to mimic the behaviour of the full population balance model (PBM). The predictions of the simplified model are validated by comparing with the results of the recently published full PBM model. The model is further simplified to derive explicit expressions for estimating the steady state supersaturation and the Sauter mean diameter. The expressions are useful to understand interactions of key operating parameters (feed supersaturation and residence time) and crystallisation kinetics (nucleation and growth) and their influence on steady state supersaturation and the Sauter mean diameter. The presented model will be useful for design and optimisation of continuous anti-solvent crystallisers.