The particle size and particle size distribution are crucial parameters for the final product application of active pharmaceutical compounds. Image analysis with inline microscopy is an important tool for monitoring and controlling the crystallization process. This work proposes a flexible and reliable image analysis algorithm that works by combining edge detection with intensity thresholding and implementing an advanced watershed. The code is made open source and should be easily implementable. Additionally, a simple flow-through image acquisition system is developed by modifying conventional optical microscopes. Finally, measurements of the particle size, the number concentration and the solid concentration are evaluated over a wide range of solid concentrations. These can be used to measure the nucleation rate and the yield. This research should reduce the barriers towards automated image analysis and provide new methods to monitor crystallization processes.

粒度和粒度分布是活性药物化合物最终产品应用的关键参数。使用在线显微镜进行图像分析是监测和控制结晶过程的重要工具。这项工作提出了一种灵活可靠的图像分析算法，该算法通过将边缘检测与强度阈值相结合并实现高级分水岭来工作。代码是开源的，应该很容易实现。此外，通过修改传统的光学显微镜开发了一个简单的流通图像采集系统。最后，在很宽的固体浓度范围内评估粒度、数量浓度和固体浓度的测量值。这些可用于测量成核速率和产率。