Linking Process and Product Models for Wet Granulation: Modelling Agglomerate Structure

Wet granulation is a method of particle size enlargement used across a large range of industries. In particular, it is an integral operation in the pharmaceutical, food, minerals processing, consumer products and agrichemical industries. Over the past decades, huge strides have been made towards greater understanding of granulation processes, building micro-level understanding, regime maps, process models, and product models.

Within a wet granulation process, particle and fluid interactions are occurring in multiple phases, and across multiple length scales. We have mechanistic models of many of these interactions, and there is great opportunity to apply these mechanistic models alongside modern computational techniques, to aid the design of granulation processes.

Computational models for wet granulation processes are increasingly being used to model industrial processes. We would like to be able to link process with product performance, however there is a mismatch between the outputs of process models (typically size, sometimes composition) and the inputs for product models (often agglomerate shape and structure, e.g. porosity and pore size distribution). Through this project we aim to bridge this gap, by building a wet granulation model framework which outputs agglomerate structure, in addition to size and composition.

A range of skills will be learnt through this project, including both experimental skills and computational modelling tools. The successful student will also gain experience in particle size and shape analysis, research methods, professional writing, and oral presentations. Prior computational modelling experience is desirable, although expert training in specific tools will be provided to the successful candidate.

This project will provide skills which are valuable to many industries, including the Pharmaceutical, Food, Detergent, and Agri-chemical industries.

The successful student will join a well-established research group, and will be a part of cutting edge research in particulate manufacturing. Opportunities for attendance at both international and national conferences will be provided, and there are prospects to visit other institutions both internationally and nationally.