Experimental validation studies on a multi-dimensional and multi-scale population balance model of batch granulation

In this study, a dynamic model is presented for the granulation process, employing a three-dimensional population balance framework. As a first attempt to account for the multi-scale character of the process, the nucleation and aggregation kernels used in the population balance model are derived using mechanistic representations of the underlying particle physics such as wetting kinetics and energy dissipation effects. Thus, the fundamental properties of the powder and the liquid were used as parameters in the model to predict the granulator dynamics and granule properties. The population balance model is validated against experimental data from a calcite/PVOH–H2Ocalcite/PVOH–H2O recipe obtained using a lab-scale drum granulator for granule size, fractional binder content and porosity. A reasonably good agreement between experimental and simulation results were obtained for the granule size distribution under different experimental conditions. In addition, accurate model predictions were made for the evolution of the average properties (i.e., size, fractional binder content and porosity) for various operating conditions.