Crystallisation Science and Engineering

What will I learn?
This three day short course will outline the fundamental science and engineering of crystallisation processes. The programme embraces digital transformation and weaves together the best experimental and computational workflows. The course will include laboratory experimental sessions to demonstrate crystallisation processes, application of advanced process analytical technologies (PATs) and particle characterisation techniques. The delegates will also have first-hand opportunities to use crystallisation modelling software. The course will be delivered by leading academic and industrial experts in the field and will include case studies.

Course aims
Delegates will leave with core knowledge that they can use in their industrial work and a deeper understanding of crystallisation science and technology to assist in process development and scale-up of the manufacture of crystals for desired properties. The course will also give delegates the tools and a knowledge framework to be able to better support company project teams and engage experts where needed.

This course is for you if you’re an engineer or scientist working in industries such as agrochemicals, biotechnology, food, fuels, personal care, pharmaceutical and speciality chemicals companies. It is relevant to those involved in crystallisation process development, scale-up, control and operations. It will also be of interest if you’re a postgraduate or post-doc involved in research in the general areas of solid form selection, particle design and crystallisation.

• Crystallisation route map

• Supersaturation generation, Nucleation and crystal growth

• Fundamentals of polymorphism

• Laboratory Demonstrations 

  • D1 – Nucleation kinetics – Crystal16 

  • D2 - Growth kinetics 

• Screening for polymorphs (solid form selection)

• Solid-State Analysis for the characterisation of polymorphs and hydrates

• Fundamentals of crystallisation and case studies of recent developments 

Course Dinner 

Day two:

Crystallisation Process Engineering

• Hydrodynamics, mixing and heat transfer in batch crystallisers

• Workflow for crystallisation process development – a case study

• Continuous crystallisation processes

• Process spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV-vis, Raman)

• Laboratory Demonstrations

  • D3 – Particle characterisation 

  • D3 part (1) Particle size measurement 

  • D3 part (2) Insitu particle imaging 

  • D4 – Raman spectroscopy  

• Laboratory Demonstrations continued

• Post crystallisation unit operations: Filtration and drying

• Control of crystallisation processes for PSD

Day three: 

• Particle size and shape measurements and characterisation (including properties and performance)

Crystallisation modelling and software demonstrations

• Integrating computational and experimental crystallisation workflows to enable digital product design

• CFD modelling of crystallisation processes

• Digital design of crystallisation processes

• Panel discussion and troubleshooting: experimental practices and best digital tools

• Software demonstration: VISUAL HABIT and the CSD - enabling solid form and particle design

• Software demonstration: Introduction to the crystallisation modules of gPROMS FormulatedProducts (Simulation and Global System Analysis)

• Wrap-up and feedback from delegates

Day three ends at approximately 4.30pm

Course directors:

Dr Tariq Mahmud - School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds

Dr Xiaojun Lai – School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds

2025 Speakers:

John Andrews, Clairet Scientific
Dr Antonia Borissova, School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds
Dr Alan Collier, Syngenta
Dr Bob Docherty, Visiting Professor University of Leeds. Consultant - retired from industry after 32 years
Dr John Hone, Syngenta
Dr Markus Honkanen, Pixact
Professor Mingzhong Li, De Montfort University, Leicester 
Andy Maloney, Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre 
Christian Melches, GEA, Duisburg, Germany
Dr Mozhdeh Mehrabi, University of Leeds
Dr Niall Mitchell, Siemens Industry Software, London
Professor Anant Paradkar, University of Bradford
Professor Kevin Roberts, School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds
Professor Sven Schroeder, School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds
Gabriele Sumanskaite, University of Leeds
Sarah Thompson, Technobis, Netherlands
Dr Umair Zafar, Novo Nordisk, Denmark

Fees:

£TBC 

Fees are VAT exempt. Discounted fees apply to postgraduate students please contact Helen Forsyth.

Course fees includes:

• cost of tuition

• course materials

• lunches

• light refreshments

• course dinner on Tuesday evening

View our terms and conditions

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
University of Leeds
Leeds
LS2 9JT

Detailed directions (including the exact location for the course registration and presentation room) will be sent out with the delegate joining instructions.

How to find us

The nearest public car park is Woodhouse Lane (multi storey) at LS1 3HQ. The car park is open 24 hours. Charges apply, please click here for information and location details. Please note this car park is a fifteen minute walk to/ from our building and delegates should allow ample time to park and register for the course. 

Car parking for visitors is unavailable at the University.

There is also limited on-street parking in the vicinity of the University.

Travel

International delegates travelling to the UK may need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Be sure to apply in advance of your travel date. For further details, visit the UK government website.

"Course was good, covered a variety of topics and catered for those in industry and academia" Almac Group Ltd

"It gave me a good understanding of crystal formation and analysis, which was everything I wanted from the course" Infineum UK Ltd

"The course offers a big picture of crystallisation science, from the theoretical fundamentals to the latest advances in the area. It can be of great use & interest to somebody working in the field of crystallization process development.” Dottikon Exclusive Synthesis

Helen Forsyth – Course Coordinator

CPD Conference and Events Unit
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences 
University of Leeds,
Leeds
LS2 9JT

T: +44 (0)113 343 8104

E: cpd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk

Stay up to date with the latest course news and developments by following the CPD, Conference and Events unit on LinkedIn.