From Lab to Pilot Scale: Commissioning of an Integrated Device for the Generation of Crystals

Fast time‐to‐market, increased efficiency, and flexibility of production processes are major motivators for the development of integrated, continuous apparatuses with short changeover times. Following this trend, the modular belt crystallizer was developed and characterized in lab scale with the model system sucrose‐water. Based on the promising results, the plant concept was upscaled and commissioned in industrial environment. The results are presented within the scope of this work. Starting from small seed crystals in solution, it was possible to grow, separate, and dry product particles. Further, the conducted experiments demonstrated that it is feasible to transfer the results from laboratory to pilot scale, which in turn enables accelerated process design as well as development. Key inspirations for the development of integrated, continuous apparatuses with short changeover times are fast time‐to‐market, increased efficiency, and flexibility of production processes. Consequently, a modular belt crystallizer was developed and characterized in lab scale. Based on the promising results, a scale‐up to pilot size and a first commissioning in an industrial environment was realized.