Product optimisation experimental design

Using experimental design such as Surface Response Method optimises the product formulation. This method is more satisfactory and effective than other methods such as classical one-at-a-time or mathematical methods because it can study many variables simultaneously with a low number of observations, saving time and costs [6]. Hence in this research, statistical experimental design or mixture design is used in this work in order to optimise the MUF resin formulation. 

P. Bermejo-Barrera, A. Moreda-Pineiro, O. Muniz-Navarro, A. M. J. Gomez-Fernandez and A. Bermejo-Barrera, Optimisation of a micro-wave-pseudo-digestion procedure by experimental designs for the determination of trace elements in seafood products by atomic absorption spectrometry, Spectrochim. Acta, Part B, 55(8), 2000, 1351-1371. 

To develop a product from inception to market, the product and process have to be optimised and the process scaled up and transferred to commercial production. Definitions and descriptions of the requirements for all these stages of development are discussed in Chapter 8, although the major discussion is on the preformulation/formulation input to product optimisation. The many factors which a formulator should consider in the selection of pharmaceutical excipients and packaging are discussed. Useful sources of information and techniques for selection such as expert systems and experimental design tools are included. 

Saccani, G., Tanzi, E., Mallozzi, S., and Cavalli, S., 2005. Determination of niacin in fresh and dry cured pork products by ion chromatography experimental design approach for the optimisation of nicotinic acid separation. Food Chemistry. 92 373-379. 

The experimental work started with a small batch reactor and then moved to the BHR Flex-reactor, where temperatures were 70-150°C and residence times 1-10 minutes. Trials were used to optimise operating characteristics with production of biodiesel at 1 tonne/day. Scale up has now reached 75 tonnes/day and the target fuel specification was achieved first time. The plant can actually process 92 tonnes/day, 20% more than the design value. BHR Biofuels is now working on a 150 tonne/day unit (Jackson, 2007). 

We have developed a non equilibrium model for multi component reactive separation techniques. This model is solved numerically by a sure and stable strategy. The originalities of this model are the Maxwell Stefan formulation which is solved in this complete formulation and the absence of restrictive assumptions concerning the reaction. To validate the model, an experimental pilot has been developed. It is a part of column where inlet flux are controlled, and local accurate temperatures and compositions profiles are measured. For each experiments, which concern the production of methyl acetate, the results of steady state simulation are in good agreement with the experimental data and demonstrate the importance to take into account the reaction in the diffiisionnal layer. So, the non equilibrium model seems to be a well adapted toll for the simulation, design and optimisation of reactive distillation. 

The main objective of the project was the design and constraction of an industrial and experimental burning line specifically suited for the production of the active base (kalsin) imder optimised energy saving conditions. 

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