(122b) CFD-Based Evaluation of Mixing Efficiency and Flow Uniformity in an Smx Static Mixer

Imatinib has shown to effectively suppress SARS-CoV-2 infection, and optimizing its production process can contribute to the availability of this drug in the fight against COVID-19.¹ Imatinib production requires the efficient mixing of aniline Imatinib and acid chloride Imatinib with a static mixer. It is essential to optimize the mixer's design and operating conditions, as the product's quality and yield are dependent on its mixing efficiency.² Simulations of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) can provide invaluable information regarding the flow dynamics, mixing performance, and optimization of the mixer's design and operating conditions.^{3, 4} This research seeks to develop a mathematical model for analyzing the mixing performance of an SMX static mixer and optimizing its design and operating conditions for the production of Imatinib.

CFD was utilized to examine radial mixing and generate RTD profiles in a front-injected tubular mixer with 12 mixing components. A mesh independence test was used to validate the developed model, ensuring the accuracy of the simulation results. In a Sulzer SMX static mixer, the flow dynamics under various conditions and the mixing efficiency along the length of the mixer were analyzed. The velocity, pressure drop, and RTD profiles were examined, and definitive screening analysis was conducted to determine the effect of different solvent properties and operational conditions on mixing efficiency.

The developed mathematical model and CFD simulations contributed to the optimization of similar systems by providing valuable insights into the operation of static mixers. This study's findings can guide future research on SMX mixers and enhance our understanding of the mixing process, thereby enhancing the efficiency and performance of these systems in a variety of applications. The findings can be used to improve the mixing efficiency and product yield of the static mixer used in the production of Imatinib by optimizing its design and operating conditions.

Acknowledgement:

This work is supported by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under contract number 75F40121C00106.

1. Strobelt, R.; Adler, J.; Paran, N.; Yahalom-Ronen, Y.; Melamed, S.; Politi, B.; Shulman, Z.; Schmiedel, D.; Shaul, Y., Imatinib inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection by an off-target-mechanism. Sci Rep 2022, 12 (1), 5758.
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