Sound in the ultrasonic (20 to 1,000 kHz) range emitted during high-shear granulation was recorded and analyzed using multivariate techniques in order to assess the relationship between variations in the physical properties of the obtained granules and the evolution of acoustic emissions taking place during their formation. The acoustic signal analysis was preformed on two different granulators. A four-component model was obtained from the analysis and was capable of predicting the particle size distribution of the granules based on a 13 sieve cut measurement covering the range of 53-1,180 μm. The average error of prediction was less than 2%. Acoustic emission also proved useful as a predictor of granule moisture content. The final granule moisture content could be predicted with a rootmean-square error of prediction of 5.76% and 1.9% in the two different granulators evaluated in this investigation. The acoustic signals emitted during wet granulation contain the information necessary to make quantitative assessments of the changes in water content, particle size, and the particle size distribution of the granules produced by the process.
In the planning phase of the extension of the Main Treatment Plant of Vienna, special effort and emphasis were put on the conception of the tender procedure. The project tender was divided into several tender units in order to achieve optimum quality standards by specialised workmanship. Important parameters for operation conditions, especially energy consumption and maintenance costs, were considered and valuated according to the tender guidelines. Suppliers were required to prove the guaranteed quality standards of the tender documents by means of preliminary installation units and extensive performance check procedures. Only after fulfilment of all requirements were suppliers allowed to apply the design of the preliminary installation works to the entire installation. If necessary, extensive optimization works were carried out. Thus favourable operation conditions were achieved and, in particular, a highly efficient aeration system was implemented. Process parameters were optimized by means of a follow-up project during the regular operation phase, taking into consideration the results of the performance check procedures. Further optimization of energy consumption was thereby achieved.
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