Modeling and Validation of Flow Fields in a Mixer-Granulator

The use of Discrete Element Method (DEM) modeling is rapidly expanding as a modelling tool to analyse particulate processes and to address technological needs in various aspects of pharmaceutical, agricultural, food and consumer product industries. Examples include estimation of parameters that are difficult to measure or quantify experimentally (e.g. internal flow fields and mixing patterns) and facilitating the scale-up of particulate processes from laboratory to pilot plant. This paper compares DEM simulations of particle flow in a paddle mixer to experimental measurements using Positron Emission Particle Tracking (PEPT).