In this study, a hybrid multi-scale model has been developed for a continuous\r\nfluid bed wet granulation process by dynamically coupling computational fluid dynamics\r\n(CFD) with a discrete element model (DEM) and population balance model (PBM). In this\r\nprocess, the granules are formed by spraying the liquid binder on the fluidized powder bed.\r\nThe fluid flow field has been solved implementing CFD principles and the behavior of the\r\nsolid particles has been modeled using DEM techniques whereas the change in particle size\r\nhas been quantified with the help of PBM. The liquid binder droplets have been modeled\r\nimplicitly in DEM. A detailed understanding of the process aids in the development of better\r\ndesign, optimization and control strategies. The model predicts the evolution of important\r\nprocess variables (i.e., average particle diameter, particle size distribution (PSD) and particle\r\nliquid content) over time, which have qualitative similarity with experimentally observed\r\ntrends. The advantage of incorporating the multi-scale approach is that the model can be\r\nused to study the distributions of collision frequencies, particle velocity and particle liquid\r\ncontent in different sections of the fluid bed granulator (FBG), in a more mechanistic manner.
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