Due to the wide range of simulation activities at SPE, we have collected a wide variety of visualizations of simulation studies that are not published.

Simulation of Chemical-Looping Gasification

Description: A chemical looping gasification (CLG) system allows the conversion of biomass to syngas.  A novel two-stage design of the fuel rector is used to prevent the escaping of tar and increase the efficiency.

Objective: The hydrodynamics with respect to the start-up time to reach quasi-stationary conditions and the stability of the circulating fluidized bed were studied.

Method: The multiphase particle-in-cell (MP-PIC) method was used to consider the motion of the particles and interaction with the gas. For the calculation of the interphase momentum transfer the drag law of Wen-Yu and Ergun was used.

Researcher: Timo Dymala, M.Sc.

Glatt TwinPro High-Shear Granulator

Description: The Glatt TwinPro high shear granulator integrates both granulation and drying step in one apparatus, eliminating the need for two separate apparatuses and component transfer.

Objective: The influence of gas flow rate, rotation speed and fill level on bubbling behavior were studied.

Method: The CFD-DEM method (Computational Fluid Dynamics - Discrete Element Method) was used to consider both the bulk behavior of the particles as well as the influence of bubble rise. The complicated inlet geometry flow field was simulated in a first step using steady state CFD and mapped onto a simplified geometry, in which particles and a moving mesh were added. The DEM was coarse-grained according to Bierwisch and coupled to the flow using the polydisperse drag-law of Beetstra.

Researcher: Paul Kieckhefen, M.Sc.

Glatt Continuous Mixer

Description: The Glatt GCG continuous mixer of the Glatt MODCOS system serves to ensure that equal parts of excipient and API are homogenized to a high degree before being fed into a granulator. 

Objective: Analysis of the residence time behavior of the mixer with respect to changes in feed composition.

Method: The Discrete Element Method was used to model the motion and interaction of particles. Using calibrated material properties and coarse-graining according to Bierwish et al., the computational effort was reduced to a manageable amount while retaining the flow characteristics. 

Researcher: Paul Kieckhefen, M.Sc.

Glatt Batch Mixer

Description: The Glatt batch mixer is a mixing vessel for pharma applications where a small amount of API is layered on top of the excipient material. By rotating the vessel, the two substances are interdispersed.

Objectives: The influence of fill level and rotation rate on mixing times were investigated. Scale up and scale down were studied as well as changes of geometry.

Method: The coarse-grained Discrete Element Method (DEM) was used to model particle bulk behavior. The data was postprocessed to yield mixing indices / quantifiers and their change over time.

Researcher: Paul Kieckhefen, M.Sc.

Syntegon Sepion Tablet Coater

Description: The Syntegon Sepion Tablet Coater is a fully integrated production-scale drum coater that has been designed for a wide range of fill levels and high spray rates.

Objectives: The overall mixing performance, as well as baffle design and shear forces were to be quantified.

Method: The superquadric Discrete Element Method (DEM) was applied. The tablet shape was fitted to a superquadric parameter set and frictional parameters were calibrated using an angle of repose test. 

Researcher: Paul Kieckhefen, M.Sc.