DEM modeling of high shear wet granulation of a simple system

Abstract

High shear wet granulation (HSWG) is one of the most poorly understood processes with known difficulties in optimization and scale up. The purpose of the current study is to develop a DEM model which can be applied under dynamic process conditions with high predictive capacity to improve process insight. The DEM model is used to predict agglomeration as a function of impeller speed and liquid addition rate in a high shear wet granulator. The DEM model tracks dynamic formation and breakage of liquid bridges between particles as liquid binder in the system is added, and corrects for the change in material properties as a function of the binder content. Keywords: High shear wet granulation, Discrete element method, Capillary bridge model