Comparison of near-infrared spectroscopy and DEM simulations for tracing spatial dispersion of water during mixing--颗粒学报PARTICUOLOGY

Hohl, R., Heigl, N., Koller, D., & Radeke, C. A. (2018). Comparison of near-infrared spectroscopy and DEM simulations for tracing spatial dispersion of water during mixing. Particuology, 38, 94-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2017.07.004

Comparison of near-infrared spectroscopy and DEM simulations for tracing spatial dispersion of water during mixing

Roland Hohl ^*, Nicolas Heigl, Daniel Koller, Charles A. Radeke

Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH, Inffeldgasse 13, 8010 Graz, Austria

10.1016/j.partic.2017.07.004

Volume 38, June 2018, Pages 94-102

Received 22 September 2016, Revised 8 June 2017, Accepted 11 July 2017, Available online 20 November 2017, Version of Record 2 April 2018.

E-mail: rolandh@sbox.tugraz.at

Highlights

• Quantitative agreement between simulated and experimental liquid content evolutions was reached.

• Implemented algorithms could be used to predict moisture distribution inside granular materials.

• Statistically reasonable sensor locations in the mixing device were identified.

Abstract

The aim of this work was to validate a wet mixing process, in which a liquid spray is used to impregnate particles during mixing. The experimental results obtained using a bladed-mixer with a near-infrared sensor were compared with the results obtained using a 1:1 discrete element method simulation. The porous particles used in both cases absorbed the sprayed liquid for a process time of about 18 min. Multiple sensors attached to the mixer wall continuously monitored the liquid contents of passing particles. The sensors were modeled in the simulation and the resulting signals were analyzed and compared with the experimental results. We show that the algorithms used for spray and liquid absorption can be used to predict the moisture distribution inside granular materials in chemical and pharmaceutical processes. Such simulations can help to save money, e.g., in resource-intensive experimental plans and equipment design studies, and by varying material parameters.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Mixing; DEM; Spray; Near-infrared; Particles

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