This system is currently being upgraded. Upgraded version is expected to
be release in the first half of 2011.
WHAT IS
SPRAYex?
SPRAYex is a
virtual spray drying expert. It is capable of determining the ability of
a material to be spray dried as a single- or multi-component system. It
suggests operating parameters based on material characteristics and the
equipment available. The system also has a training module to guide
newcomers in the field through the spray drying process and explains the
relationship between the operating parameters and feed characteristics.
SPRAYex has a
knowledge base containing a listing of all the facts that the expert
system knows and uses to make its decisions. The knowledge needed by the
system has been gathered from the domain experts in the field.
SPRAYex contains
information on the material properties and processing conditions in a
database format. This information is complied from experimental data
obtained by PTI and additional data can be generated by the users or be
obtained from the literature.
COMPONENTS:
SPRAYex is composed of a number of key system components or
modules, which are detailed below.
Formulation and process development module:
In this module, the expert system offers iterative sessions to
determine the level of user interaction, type of equipment available,
process constraints, formulation related preferences, and any special
requirements for the specific product.
The expert system is then able
to:
-
Evaluate the ability of a
material to be spray dried
-
Assess the need for additional
ingredients
-
Evaluate the safety of spray
drying the proposed material(s)
-
Build a formula and suggest
processing conditions such as spray rate, inlet air temperature,
nozzle type, atomizer parameters, feed solids concentration, air
flow, and feed rate
-
Evaluate, re-evaluate and
display formula and process parameters
This module also allows the user
to challenge the system using fictitious requirements or actual,
potential requirements.
Database module:
SPRAYex has a database containing the following information:
-
raw
materials:
melting
points, glass transition temperatures, DSC data, viscosity, and
solubility
-
equipment:
brand name, dimensions, nozzle types, air flow
-
processing conditions:
atomization parameters, inlet/outlet air temperatures, feed
parameters, pump parameters, nozzle parameters
-
spray
dried product: moisture
content, melting points, glass transition temperatures, bulk
density, tap density, particle size.
Search Engine and Interactive Graphics module:
This module allows the user to search for materials with
specified properties. The user is also be able to compare the material
properties in the form of graphical display whenever it is possible.
Training module:
This module assists the user in improving his/her knowledge in
spray drying formulation and processing development by means of
interactive text, graphical, and video displays.
Programming Techniques:
PTI, Inc has integrated a number of knowledge
representation techniques in order to maximize the performance of the
expert system. Some of these techniques are listed below:
Further Information:
