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Particle-Scale Modeling to Understand Liquid Distribution in Twin-Screw Wet Granulation
Ashish Kumar1, Stefan Radl2, Krist V Gernaey3
1Pharmaceutical Engineering Research Group (PharmaEng), Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Pharmaceutics
|July 2, 2021
Summary
Discrete element method simulations revealed that agglomeration in twin-screw granulator (TSG) wet granulation is delayed until liquid is evenly distributed on particle surfaces. This provides insights into solid-liquid mixing dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Engineering
- Particle Technology
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Experimental characterization of solid-liquid mixing in high shear wet granulation using twin-screw granulators (TSG) is difficult due to system opacity and high processing speeds.
- Understanding particle-level interactions and liquid behavior is crucial for optimizing granulation processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms of solid-liquid mixing and agglomerate formation in a twin-screw wet granulation process.
- To utilize discrete element method (DEM) simulations to model particle flow and liquid distribution dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Employed discrete element method (DEM) simulations on a quasi-two-dimensional domain.
- Incorporated models for liquid bridge formation, rupture, and their impact on inter-particle forces.
- Simulated the kneading section of a twin-screw wet granulation process to analyze particle flow and liquid distribution.
Main Results:
- Agglomeration was observed to be a delayed process in the simulated granulation.
- Effective agglomerate formation occurred only after the free liquid was adequately distributed across particle surfaces.
- Particle flow and liquid distribution dynamics were analyzed over time.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights the critical role of uniform liquid distribution in initiating and progressing agglomeration during twin-screw wet granulation.
- DEM simulations provide valuable insights into complex multiphase mixing phenomena in granulation.
