(256a) Comparison of a Powder Mixing Process in Two Different Blenders Using DEM
AIChE Annual Meeting
2023
2023 AIChE Annual Meeting
Pharmaceutical Discovery, Development and Manufacturing Forum
Advancements in Drug Product Engineering and Material Science
Monday, November 6, 2023 - 8:00am to 8:21am
This work uses the discrete element method to investigate and understand mixing in two types of mixers. A high-shear mini-batch blender (MBB) is compared to a 2 L Tubular blender. The work presents a comprehensive overview of the influence of the two blender types and process conditions on mixing. In addition, the effect of the powder composition on the mixing behavior is studied using DEM model parameters that depend on the composition. These model parameters are obtained by performing bulk powder characterization, e.g., particle size distribution or FT4 measurements of the used material/powder blend, and adapting the DEM model parameters to fit the experimental results.
To this end, a small experimental design in both blenders is simulated. The simulations are analyzed for their mixing behavior, distance traveled and shear acting on the powder. A model is developed to predict the tablet's tensile strength as a function of the mixing time, and the results are compared with experimental data. These simulation results are analyzed to quantify mixing in the MBB utilizing blend uniformity.
This work comprehensively overviews the comparability and scalability of the two discussed blender types. A scaling strategy between both blenders is discussed and evaluated for the development of a continuous production process.