The presented study is focused on laboratory Czochralski crystal growth experiments and their mathematical modelling. The developed small-scale CZ crystal growth furnace is described as well as the involved automation systems: crystal radius detection by image recognition, temperature sensors, adjustable heater power and crystal pull rate. The CZ-Trans program is used to model the experimental results - transient, 2D axisymmetric simulation software primarily used for modelling of the industrial-scale silicon crystal growth process. Poor agreement with the experimental results is reached; however, the proven ability to perform affordable, small-scale experiments and successfully model their transient behavior, creates a possibility to develop new process automation solutions in the future.