Sustainable and innovative processes for solid generation and elaboration

The Sustainable and Innovative Solid Generation and Elaboration Processes team conducts experimental and theoretical research to generate knowledge on the properties of divided solids and the unit operations that generate them (crystallization/precipitation, hot melt extrusion, 3D printing, prilling, supercritical CO2-assisted processes, ultrasound-assisted processes, spray drying etc.). The diversity of powders and the complexity of these unit operations represent a challenge for the design of sustainable processes for manufacturing products with controlled functional properties.

 

Research objectives

The aim is to propose approaches combining experimental studies and multi-physical, multi-scale numerical modeling to generate solids with the desired functional properties. These approaches cover both:

  • characterization of solution and solid properties (thermodynamic properties, physicochemical properties such as size distribution, crystallinity, bioavailability, etc.)
  • development of unit operations and/or characterization devices
  • characterization of "powder properties - process parameters - product properties" relationships (transformation/generation kinetics)
  • development and simulation of deterministic models based on experiments carried out at different scales, to enhance our knowledge of the relationships between pre-treatment solid/solution properties, process parameters and functional properties of the formulated solid, and to optimize the unit operation or the entire generation process

 

Scientific challenges

  • How can we control the structure and composition of the formed solid and the resulting functional properties?
  • What are the mechanisms involved in the operations studied, and how can they be transposed to a different scale?
  • How can we consider the variability of reactants/inputs and functional users?

 

Members:

F. BAILLON, T. DELEAU, F. ESPITALIER, J.J. LETOURNEAU, O. LOUISNARD, M.I. RÉ, M. SAUCEAU, R. SESCOUSSE