(183b) Modeling and Numerical Simulation of Pharmaceutical Processes

Fluid/particle flow systems, including fluidized beds, are an essential part of many pharmaceuitcal processes. the optimum design, productivity enhancement and scale-up of these processes require a thorough understanding of fluid/particle flow patterns. Achievement of this understanding involves the numberical simulation of pharmaceutical processes using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach along with modeling of particle variation in size and other properties. Furthermore, numerical simulation contributes to a decrease in the time required to move from the laboratory-scale to the commercial-scale process.

This presentation provides an overview of the types of computational methods and recent contributions of numerical simulations that are used in pharmaceutical processes, including particle mixing, size reduction and growth, and particle deposition. The detailed numerical simulation of anti-solvent crystallization processes will be presented at different process conditions such as feed rate, feed position and seed amount. The simulation uses a CFD code coupled with the population balance equation (PBE) to describe the flow behavior of the solution (water, ethanol, dissolved glycerine) and the crystals to predict mixing and crystal formation and growth.

The presentation will be concluded with a discussion of the limitations and opportunities for research and development in this area.