Experimental implementation of a Quality-by-Control (QbC) framework using a mechanistic PBM-based nonlinear model predictive control involving chord length distribution measurement for the batch cooling crystallization of l-ascorbic acid

•l-ascorbic acid crystallization is investigated from aqueous solution.•The crystallization kinetics is estimated from batch experiments based on concentration and CLD data.•FBRM is used for the first time as quantitative in-line sensor in the predictive control system.•Model-free Quality-by-Control (QbC) based on DNC is compared with model-based QbC using the proposed NMPC.