In collaboration with Delft University and IPCOS, NIZO food research has successfully evaluated a new method called DyMonT to measure stickiness and particle size under dynamic conditions (2006/2007). The method is based on high frequency pressure measurements in fluidised beds. Since the method is very sensitive to small changes in the hydrodynamics it is much more suitable for monitoring stickiness compared with conventional mehods such measurement of pressure drop over the bed. The DyMonT method provides essential data for modelling agglomeration with the Edecad tools (www.nizo.com).
The Final Project Meeting
The Final Project Meeting of the EDECAD project was held at January 12th and January 13th 2004 at NIZO food research, Ede, The Netherlands in the presence of a representative from the European Commission. The Final Report of the EDECAD project has been approved by the European Commission in June 2004.
The main achievements and results so far are:
- advanced measurement techniques to determine the initial spray conditions of large capacity hollow cone pressure nozzles at relevant industrial conditions and fluids;
- experimental techniques for the determination of the diffusion coefficient of industrial fluids, to be used in the drying model;
- novel experimental data on interacting sprays, to be used for validation of inter-droplet collision and coalescence models;
- different collision model approaches implemented in CFD codes;
- newly developed agglomeration model enabling prediction of particle interaction in inhomogeneous and changing dispersed phase;
- implementation of the glass transition concept in the agglomeration model;
This project has furthermore gained additional insight in agglomeration processes during spray drying and in particular knowledge about general calculation procedures for industrial spray drying and agglomeration processes.
Press release: Complex powders made easier
A new tool makes it now possible to predict the features of complex powder as a function of the process and product configuration. A network of scientists in Europe, coordinated by NIZO food research, are developing a ‘design tool’ to establish relations between the configuration of the drying installation (geometry, nozzle selection), process conditions, product composition and final powder properties. [read more]
Mid Term Assessment Meeting
On September 5th 2002 and September 6th 2002, the official Mid Term Assessment Meeting of the EDECAD project was held at Anhydro in Copenhagen, Denmark. A representative from the European Commission was also be present at this meeting. Approval was given to the consortium to proceed with the project.
DECHEMA Award
Dipl.-Ing. Stefan Blei of the Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Department of Mechanical Process Engineering received on June 11th 2002 the DECHEMA Student Award in the field of Chemical Process Engineering/Chemical Engineering. Stefan Blei received this award for his graduation thesis related to the EDECAD project. He distinguished himself by completing his studies in a particularly short time and by achieving outstanding results. Stefan Blei is now working at MLU Halle-Wittenberg as a research assistant, dedicated to the EDECAD project.
Official Kick-Off Meeting
On March 8th 2001, the official Kick-Off Meeting of the EDECAD project was held at NIZO food research in Ede, The Netherlands.
Each partner introduced their role in the project and the procedures for project management and reporting were agreed. A scientific officer from the EC was also present at this first meeting.
On March 9th 2001, the first Technical Meeting of the EDECAD project was held. In this meeting (see picture of participants) aspects concerning the technical work within this project were discussed.
