DEM – Discrete Element Method, modelling Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient powder behaviour
Systematic methods and tools for managing the complexity
Advances in Computational & Numerical Methods (T4-4)
Keywords: Dicrete element method, powder behaviour, API
Jan Fiedler*, David J Taylor, Francois X Ricard
GSK - GlaxoSmithKline Research & Development Limited, Stevenage, UK
Process unit operations such as filtration, drying or sieving are typical powder handling operations in primary pharmaceutical processes. These unit operations can be critical in primary process development as they sit at the interface with secondary product development.
Due to the differences in physical properties of APIs – Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (size, shape, density etc.) significant variations can be observed in terms of mixing, segregation, packing or flow in these granular systems.
In recent years, particle flow simulation has become possible by using DEM -Discrete Element Methods. DEM uses Newton’s second law and the force displacement law to calculate the position, velocity and acceleration of each particle. Single particles are traced as they interact with other particles and the geometry studied. The technique offers the opportunity of gaining a better understanding of flow in optically dense granular systems, which is required for equipment design and unit operation optimisation.
The presentation will give an introduction to DEM and will show initial results for modelling granular flow in a conical dryer fitted with an orbital screw under a range of operating conditions. Future development activities and associated challenges will be discussed.
Presented Tuesday 18, 15:00 to 15:20, in session Advances in Computational & Numerical Methods (T4-4).
