This study evaluated mass yield, in crystallization of citric acid on a vibrated bed, using a large seed population (dense phase). A stainless steel crystallizer, jacketed and trunk-conical shaped was used in the crystallization experiments. The shaking system consisted of two perforated disks coupled to a mobile axle, which was connected to an eccentric. A central composite design (CCD) was used considering three independent variables: supersaturation level, dimensionless vibration number, and crystallization time, while the seed population (100,000 U) and operation temperature (55 degrees C) were fixed. Optimization of the experimental data obtained in the CCD was done finding the condition of maximum yield, 164.7%, which was experimentally tested and resulted in yield of 187.7%. An experimental simulation of serial crystallizers was studied, obtaining 166.9% yield, which was effective for obtaining crystals of greater final dimension. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.