The main target of our research is to investigate powder mixing, particularly continuous mixing. Continuous mixing is considered as an efficient alternative to batch mixing processes that in principle allows for easier on-line control and optimization of mixing performance. In order to illustrate the benefits of this process we have demonstrated the effectiveness of continuous mixing for powders. A number of operating and design parameters including processing angle, rotation rate, fill level, convective design, APAP concentration, and residence time have been investigated to consider their effects on mixing performance and on the content uniformity. Statistical analysis has been applied to examine the significance of the effects of processing parameters and material properties on the mixing rate. In addition to mixing experiments, the particle trajectory within a continuous mixer has been studied for different cohesion levels, flowrates, and rotation rates using Positron Emission Particle Tracking (PEPT). The approach was beneficial in providing particle trajectories and, as a result, allowing us to obtain axial dispersion coefficients quantitatively. The experimental methods have been used to verify computational approaches as well as study some important areas that are difficult to examine experimentally such as online homogeneity measurements. Notably, powder-mixing models are restricted due to computational limitations and obstacles associated with correlating simulation-time to real-time. We have developed efficient modeling approaches that will enable the simulation, optimization, and control of mixing processes. One method is compartment modeling, a method that discretizes the blender into finite regions. We have adapted the approach to mixing processes (v-blender, a horizontal drum, and continuous blenders). Another approach we propose is the use of a hybrid methodology that utilizes compartment modeling and the Discrete Element Method. The effectiveness of the methodology will be demonstrated by modeling particle mixing under the influence of an impeller in the continuous blender, which for usual modeling methods typically lead to extremely high computational costs.
Note (type = degree)
Ph.D.
Note (type = bibliography)
Includes bibliographical references (p. 180-189).
Subject (ID = SUBJ1); (authority = RUETD)
Topic
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Subject (ID = SUBJ2); (authority = ETD-LCSH)
Topic
Powders (Pharmacy)
Subject (ID = SUBJ3); (authority = ETD-LCSH)
Topic
Mixing
RelatedItem (type = host)
TitleInfo
Title
Graduate School - New Brunswick Electronic Theses and Dissertations
PhysicalLocation (authority = marcorg); (displayLabel = Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey)
NjNbRU
Identifier (type = doi)
doi:10.7282/T3GH9J9P
Genre (authority = ExL-Esploro)
ETD doctoral
Back to the top
Rights
RightsDeclaration (AUTHORITY = GS); (ID = rulibRdec0006)
The author owns the copyright to this work.
Copyright
Status
Copyright protected
Availability
Status
Open
AssociatedEntity (AUTHORITY = rulib); (ID = 1)
Name
Patricia Portillo
Role
Copyright holder
Affiliation
Rutgers University. Graduate School - New Brunswick
RightsEvent (AUTHORITY = rulib); (ID = 1)
Type
Permission or license
Detail
Non-exclusive ETD license
AssociatedObject (AUTHORITY = rulib); (ID = 1)
Type
License
Name
Author Agreement License
Detail
I hereby grant to the Rutgers University Libraries and to my school the non-exclusive right to archive, reproduce and distribute my thesis or dissertation, in whole or in part, and/or my abstract, in whole or in part, in and from an electronic format, subject to the release date subsequently stipulated in this submittal form and approved by my school. I represent and stipulate that the thesis or dissertation and its abstract are my original work, that they do not infringe or violate any rights of others, and that I make these grants as the sole owner of the rights to my thesis or dissertation and its abstract. I represent that I have obtained written permissions, when necessary, from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis or dissertation and will supply copies of such upon request by my school. I acknowledge that RU ETD and my school will not distribute my thesis or dissertation or its abstract if, in their reasonable judgment, they believe all such rights have not been secured. I acknowledge that I retain ownership rights to the copyright of my work. I also retain the right to use all or part of this thesis or dissertation in future works, such as articles or books.