Antisolvent crystallization systems and methods are provided that employ
porous hollow fiber membranes. The porous hollow fiber membrane includes
a plurality of porous hollow fibers positioned within a shell, each
porous hollow fiber defining a lumen side and shell side. A crystallizing
solution is introduced to one side of the hollow fibers and an
antisolvent is introduced to the other side of the fibers, in either
cocurrent or countercurrent flow. One of the antisolvent and the
crystallizing solution permeates in part through the porous hollow fiber
membrane to the other side and crystals are formed thereby. Permeation of
the antisolvent or the crystallizing solution establishes advantageous
radial mixing that facilitates crystal formation of a desired size
distribution. Downstream mixing, e.g., a completely stirred tank or a
static mixer, may be employed to further improve crystallization
operations.