Formulation of dispersed systems via (melt) emulsification: Process design, in situ diagnostics and regulation

  • Contact:
    Professor Dr. Knut Graichen

    Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

    Department Elektrotechnik-Elektronik-Informationstechnik

    Lehrstuhl für Regelungstechnik

    Erlangen

     

    Dr.-Ing. Franz Huber

    Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

    Technische Fakultät

    Lehrstuhl für Technische Thermodynamik

    Erlangen

     

    Dr. Jochen Schmidt

    Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

    Department Chemie- und Bioingenieurwesen (CBI)

    Lehrstuhl für Feststoff- und Grenzflächenverfahrenstechnik

    Erlangen

Summary

The aim of this project is the automated production of liquid-liquid disperse systems via melt emulsification, whereby in this process emulsification takes place at elevated temperature. The products obtained after cooling are dispersions of spherical nanoparticles or microparticles. Within the scope of this project, a melt emulsification device for the automated production of product particles with a well-defined particle size distribution (PSD) will be further developed. The PSD has a significant influence on the subsequent product properties, such as flow behavior or drug release kinetics. The PSD of the products is determined by the complex interaction of competing mechanisms. These are, in particular, droplet breakup in a rotor-stator device as a result of shear and elongation stress, as well as coalescence and further ripening, which in turn depend on the system composition, i.e. the emulsifier used (type, concentration) and the dispersion phase (viscosity, volume fraction). Therefore, for a better process understanding and an active process control, possibilities for in situ determination of the PSD are urgently required. In this project, a novel fiber-coupled measurement system based on broadband elastic light scattering is developed for in situ measurement of the PSD. The system will be validated on reference particle systems and applied to the emulsification process. Furthermore, a hybrid process model is developed, which is the basis for the design of a model predictive control of the process. The model predictive control in combination with the in situ measurement will provide the possibility for an active process control and the production of emulsions with predefined properties and a simultaneous optimization of the process time.