A first order numerical study of the spheronisation process

In this paper we carry out a first order engineering analysis of the spheronisation process. We examine numerically the rounding of a single extrudate particle in a vessel chosen to apply apparently random impacts to the particle. The process parameters are chosen in relation to the practical situation; however, the mechanical properties of the extrudate are substantially simplified: a simple elasto-plastic constitutive model is used and the yield strength of the material is reduced so that spheronisation is obtained after a relatively small number of impacts. This study illustrates first order effects during rounding of particles and discusses the interplay between material and process parameters.

Spehronisation is the process whereby extrudate made of a paste-like material is rounded to form a spheroid following a large number of successive impacts. We use finite element analysis to examine the interplay between the material properties and the process parameters during spheronisation using a numerical spheroniser. The numerical spheroniser illustrated below was designed to explore the rounding of a single particle in more detail.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide