Funding organisation: DFG (Middle East Collaboration)
Contact Person: Silas Wolf
Summary of the overall project:
Particle and aggregate structures in the micro- and nanometer range are fundamental to products in the analytical, chemical, biotechnological and pharmaceutical fields. Porous systems tailored from particles are used in chromatographic purification, catalytic processes and as carriers for the controlled release of pharmaceutical active ingredients. System characteristics depend on material properties and the underlying particle or aggregate structure. Processing steps, including formulation, have a significant impact on the structure and technical properties. The key question is how to structure aggregate systems for different applications to optimise mass transport and maintain mechanical stability. Previous projects have investigated aggregate systems via spray drying from nanoparticulate suspensions.
This project aims to establish CFD-DEM simulations to understand particle-scale structure formation, in particular hierarchical structures in the initial drying stage. Simultaneously, a modelling approach by Prof. Avi Levy's group at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel will consider multiple particle sizes and interactions in both drying stages. The CFD-DEM results will efficiently support the model development. This integrated approach will allow the influence of different process and formulation conditions on the product to be explored. Ultimately, the models should enable efficient process optimisation and predict structure formation during spray drying.
Goals and tasks of iPAT
Project partner: Prof Avi Levy working group (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel)
Fig.: Schematic representation of the project plan