Computational fluid dynamics study of deposition in powder processors

Many manufacturing processes rely on the ability to process powders. Processes often include pneumatic conveying of solid particles. The food, pharmaceutical, carbon black and cement industries are typical examples. To ensure efficient and effective processing it is important that all solid material remains in suspension. The current study focuses on the powder processing of materials for pharmaceutical tablet production. The results are applicable to other powder processing applications. In the current application powder is processed in a single vessel, which has a flat bottom with a series of nozzles around the base. These nozzles provide a series of low velocity jets, which suspend the solid particles, similar to the action of a fluidised bed. Additional energy is provided by a series of high-pressure nozzles, which are positioned above the nozzles in the base. The purpose of the high-pressure nozzles is to provide the energy for powder processing, mixing and size reduction.