Process simulation using mathematical modeling tools is becoming more common in the pharmaceutical industry. A mechanistic model is a mathematical modeling tool that can enhance process understanding, reduce experimentation cost and improve product quality. A commonly used mechanistic modeling approach for powder is the discrete element method (DEM). Most pharmaceutical materials have powder or granular material. Therefore, DEM might be widely applied in the pharmaceutical industry. This review focused on the basic elements of DEM and its implementations in pharmaceutical manufacturing simulation. Contact models and input parameters are essential elements in DEM simulation. Contact models computed contact forces acting on the particle-particle and particle-geometry interactions. Input parameters were divided into two types—material properties and interaction parameters. Various calibration methods were presented to define the interaction parameters of pharmaceutical materials. Several applications of DEM simulation in pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, such as milling, blending, granulation and coating, were categorized and summarized. Based on this review, DEM simulation might provide a systematic process understanding and process control to ensure the quality of a drug product.

Application of the Discrete Element Method for Manufacturing Process Simulation in the Pharmaceutical Industry.

DEM simulation of binary mixing particles with different density in an intensive mixer

Sensitivity analysis of process parameters for granular mixing in an intensive mixer using response surface methodology

Numerical study of the mixing process of binary-density particles in a bladed mixer

Perspectives on the Process Intensification of CO<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" altimg="si1.svg"><mml:msub><mml:mrow /><mml:mn>2</mml:mn></mml:msub></mml:math> Capture and Utilization

Filipp Göbel

Papers

Simulation of granular mixing in a static mixer by the discrete element method