Combined thermodynamic and population balance model of the batch top-spray fluidised bed coating process of inert spheres

A combined population balance and thermodynamic model was developed using a multi-compartment representation of a top-spray fluidised bed coater. This model enables the prediction of the coating mass distribution changing over time in the fluidised bed during batch operation. In addition, this model predicts the one-dimensional thermodynamic behaviour of the fluidised bed. An event-driven Monte Carlo technique was chosen for the simulation of the particle exchange. The simulation results were validated using the results from tests on a Glatt GPCG-1 fluidised bed unit in the top-spray configuration. This model helps in understanding the impact of process variables and could prove useful in the design of model predictive controllers in fluidised bed coating.