Crystallization is an important process for producing high-value fine and specialty chemicals, biochemicals and pharmaceuticals. The process remains, however, as an art rather than science. The proposed research is aimed at establishing a scientific basis for the process. The crystallization of four model amino acids will be studied in both batch and continuous crystallizers. An understanding will be obtained for the mechanism of crystal nucleation and growth. The results will have direct impact on the field of crystallization and also expanding its application to bioseparation and purification.
