This project utilised a novel solvent-free continuous cocrystallisation (SFCC) method to manufacture pharmaceutical co-crystals. The objectives were to optimize the process towards achieving high co-crystal yields and to understand the behaviour of co-crystals under different conditions. Particular attention was paid to the development of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as a process analytical technology (PAT). Twin screw, hot melt extrusion was the base technique of the SFCC process. Changing parameters such as temperature, screw speed and screw geometry was important for improving the co-crystal yield. The level of mixing and shear was directly influenced by the screw geometry, whilst the screw speed was an important parameter for controlling the residence time of the material during hot melt extrusion. Ibuprofen – nicotinamide 1:1 cocrystals and carbamazepine – nicotinamide 1:1 co-crystals were successfully manufactured using the SFCC method. Characterisation techniques were important for this project, and NIR spectroscopy proved to be a convenient, accurate analytical technique for identifying the formation of co-crystals along the extruder barrel. Separate thermal and model shear deformation studies were also carried out to determine the effect of temperature and shear on co-crystal formation for several different pharmaceutical co-crystal pairs. Finally, NIR spectroscopy was used to create two partial least squares regression models, for predicting the 1:1 co-crystal yield of ibuprofen – nicotinamide and carbamazepine – nicotinamide, when in a powder mixture with the respective pure API. It is believed that the prediction models created in this project can be used to facilitate future in-line PAT studies of pharmaceutical co-crystals during different manufacturing processes.

Este trabalho tem o objetivo de apresentar o desenvolvimento do projeto informacional e do projeto conceitual de um mini-cabeçote vertical de extrusão com rosca de seção variável intercambiável. A montagem e a validação funcional deste cabeçote é feita na impressora 3-D Fab@CTI de forma intercambiável, na qual o projeto da estrutura foi baseada no projeto Fab@home. O projeto envolve o estudo sistemático utilizando o QFD para identificação dos requisitos do usuário e a escolha do \"cabeçote de deposição\", como característica técnica mais importante conduz o desenvolvimento do projeto conceitual e parte do projeto preliminar do mini-cabeçote vertical de extrusão. Utilizando análise morfológica no projeto conceitual se obteve a configuração do projeto, no qual foi possível dimensionar os principais componentes do sistema proposto: rosca/cilindro e sistema de acionamento. Os materiais considerados para o dimensionamento mecânico, bem como das estimativas das geometrias das seções da rosca foram poliamida e PCL, este último material foi escolhido por ser um biomaterial e por apresentar características físico-químicas mais criticas para o dimensionamento do dispositivo. O projeto conceitual foi fabricado e montado para demonstrar sua funcionalidade de extrusão utilizando um material pastoso e pó sem processo de aquecimento. Este trabalho apresenta o projeto e a validação técnica de um mini-cabeçote intercambiável de extrusão por rosca para utilização em impressoras 3-D utilizadas em manufatura aditiva. A abordagem sistemática de projeto demonstra a importância de técnicas de metodologia de projeto durante o desenvolvimento de um produto, a fim de se obter qualidade no projeto de engenharia. / The purpose of this work is to present the study of the informational and conceptual design of the vertical mini-screw extrusion head applied to portable and open source additive manufacturing machine. The design was validated considering the proposal of interchangeable heads applied to Brazilian 3-D printer based on Fab@home mechanical design. It was developed a systematic study using QFD to identify user\'s requirements, supporting the choice of a \"deposition head\" as the most important technical characteristic, leading the design development of a mini vertical system based on a extrusion screw with variable section. The conceptual design using the morphological analysis defined the design configuration, allowing to make a pre-calculation of the main components of the proposed head: screw, barrel and actuation system. The deposition materials, considered for the theoretical calculations, were polyamide and PCL, being the last a biocompatible polymer. This choice lead to critical physicochemical properties related to system design. The conceptual design was manufactured and assembled, demonstrating its functionality to extrude a paste like and powder materials without heating. This work presented the design and the validation of an interchangeable mini-extruder screw head developed to a portable 3-D printer used in additive manufacturing process. The systematic approach demonstrated the importance of the design methodology tools during the product development to obtain quality in the design engineering.

L'extraction aqueuse des lipides de la graine de tournesol est étudiée en contacteur agité. La diffusion à l'intérieur des particules est le facteur limitant de l'échange de matière. Les protéines sont impliquées dans l'entraînement et la stabilisation des lipides par l'eau. Le fractionnement de la plante entière est également étudié avec l'eau en extrusion bi-vis. Un extrait et un raffinat sont obtenus séparément et en une seule étape continue. Des rendements d'extraction en huile de 55 % peuvent être obtenus sous forme d'émulsions huile/eau. Leur stabilité est assurée par la présence à l'interface de tensioactifs : les phospholipides et les protéines voire les pectines. Les extraits se composent aussi d'une phase hydrophile. Prépondérante, elle contient des composés hydrosolubles (protéines, pectines…). Riches en fibres, les raffinats présentent une teneur significative en protéines au comportement thermoplastique. Ils peuvent être transformés en agromatériaux par thermomoulage.

Les fruits de coriandre ont été identifiés comme une source riche en huile végétale de haute qualité, à forte teneur en acide pétrosélinique et en huile essentielle. Un système d'extraction innovant a été conçu et développé en utilisant la technologie d'extrusion bi-vis. Il a permis l’obtention d'un produit nouveau, à savoir une huile végétale de coriandre aromatisée et à haute valeur ajoutée, d’un condensat présentant une concentration élevée en huile essentielle et d’un tourteau révélant une forte teneur en protéines. Le tourteau a montré son intérêt en tant que liant naturel pour la production de panneaux de fibres renouvelables issus de la paille de coriandre, un résidu de la culture de la plante, conduisant à des agromatériaux auto-liés et ayant un rapport performance/coût élevé. Les fibres de la paille de coriandre ont également présenté une bonne capacité de renforcement lorsqu’elles étaient utilisées comme charge naturelle dans des biocomposites thermoplastiques à base de polypropylène ou de biopolyéthylène, permettant le moulage par injection de matériaux peu couteux et aux propriétés mécaniques prometteuses. Ce travail présente ainsi une forte contribution à la mise en place d'une véritable bioraffinerie intégrée de la coriandre et à la démonstration de sa mise en oeuvre à une échelle industrielle. / Coriander fruits of French origin were identified as a rich source of a high-quality vegetable oil, with a high petroselinic acid content, and essential oil. An innovative extraction system was designed and developed using twin-screw extrusion technology and resulted in the recovery of a novel flavored coriander oil with high added value, as well as a hydrosol product with a high essential oil concentration and a press cake with an important protein fraction. The press cake was shown valuable as a natural binding agent for the production of renewable materials from coriander straw, a crop residue, and led to binderless boards with a high performance-cost ratio. Simultaneously, the coriander straw fibers displayed good reinforcing capacity as a natural filler in thermoplastic biocomposites from polypropylene or biopolyethylene, resulting in cost-effective materials with attractive properties. This work thus presents a strong contribution to the setup of a true integrated biorefinery for coriander fruits and its industrial implementation on a relevant production scale.

Cette thèse porte sur la relation entre le procédé de préparation et la structure des nanocomposites polypropylène/argile. Les échantillons ont été préparés au mélangeur interne dans un premier temps. Des observations au microscope électronique à balayage, complétées par des analyses en diffraction des rayons X ainsi que des mesures rhéologiques ont permis de caractériser l’état de dispersion de l’argile à différentes échelles au sein du matériau. Nous avons comparé trois argiles organophiles et montré que la compatibilité chimique entre l’argile et la matrice est un facteur primordial afin d’obtenir une bonne dispersion : la Cloisite 20 et la Dellite 67G montrent de bons états de dispersion à toutes les échelles au contraire de la Cloisite 30B. Nous avons ensuite mis en évidence l’influence de la vitesse de rotation ainsi que du temps de mélange sur l’état de dispersion de l’argile. Le seuil de percolation de l’argile dans le polypropylène a été déterminé. Le lien entre état de dispersion et cristallinité du polypropylène a également été étudié.Les échantillons ont ensuite été préparés par extrusion bivis. L’influence de la vitesse de rotation sur l’état de dispersion de l’argile a été mise en évidence, tout autant que la dégradation de la matrice aux plus fortes vitesses. L’évolution de l’état de dispersion le long de la vis a montré que si l’intercalation était rapidement atteinte sur la vis, l’exfoliation progressait linéairement avant de saturer sur les dernières zones. L’utilisation d’une température de régulation plus faible ou d’une matrice plus visqueuse n’ont pas permis d’améliorer l’état de dispersion de l’argile ni d’éviter la dégradation de la matrice. Enfin, l’utilisation du logiciel Ludovic© a permis de mieux appréhender les phénomènes thermomécaniques mis en jeu lors de l’extrusion, mais également d’optimiser le procédé. / This PhD focuses on the relationship between the preparation process and the structure of polypropylene/clay nanocomposites. First, the samples were prepared via an internal mixer. Scanning electron microscopy observations, completed by X-ray diffraction analysis and rheology measurements enabled us to characterize the clay dispersion state in the nanocomposite at different scales. Three organoclays were compared. It was shown that the chemical compatibility between the clay and the matrix was essential to ensure a good dispersion: Cloisite 20 and Dellite 67G showed good dispersion states at all scales, whereas Cloisite 30B did not. The influence of rotor speed and mixing time on the clay dispersion state was shown. The percolation threshold of the clay was determined. The link between dispersion state and crystallinity was also studied.The samples were then prepared via a twin-screw extruder. The influence of screw speed on the clay dispersion state was demonstrated, as well as the matrix degradation at high screw speed. The evolution of the dispersion state along the screw profile showed that intercalation was reached early in the screw profile, whereas exfoliation evolved linearly until the last mixing elements. A lower barrel temperature, as well as a more viscous matrix did not improve the clay dispersion state, and did not prevent the matrix degradation. Finally, the Ludovic© software allowed us to apprehend the thermomechanical phenomena involved during extrusion, but also to optimize the process.

En raison de leurs excellentes propriétés, les polyoléfines telles que le polypropylène et le polyéthylène sont largement utilisées dans des applications d'emballage alimentaire. Cependant, tout au long de leur cycle de vie ou de la première utilisation, les polyoléfines peuvent être exposées à des milieux contaminés qui limitent leur recyclabilité en contact alimentaire. Par conséquence, le recyclage de polyoléfines au contact alimentaire nécessite des niveaux de décontamination rigoureux et donc une technologie de décontamination avancée. L’objectif de ce travail consiste dans un premier temps à étudier la faisabilité et la potentialité de l’extraction par CO2 supercritique en mode batch pour la purification de polyoléfines (extraction d’additifs et de contaminants modèles). On s’est plus particulièrement attaché à étudier l’effet des paramètres du procédé sur la cinétique de l’extraction ainsi que l’influence de l’extraction supercritique sur les comportements rhéologique et thermique des matériaux purifiés. Dans un deuxième temps, on s’est intéressé au développement d’un nouveau procédé continu d’extraction par couplage de l’extraction supercritique et l’extrusion bi-vis. Les résultats les plus importants ont montré la potentialité de l’extraction par CO2 supercritique en mode batch pour la purification de polyoléfines sans influencer significativement les propriétés de la matrice / Due to their excellent properties, polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene are widely used in food packaging applications to preserve and protect foodstuffs. However, throughout their lifecycle or first use, polyolefins can be exposed to contaminated media which limit their recyclability in food contact applications. Therefore, the recycling of polyolefins into direct food contact applications requires rigorous decontamination levels and thus effective and advanced recycling technology. The objective of this work is, at first hand, to study the feasibility and the potential of supercritical CO2 extraction in batch process for the purification of polyolefins (extraction of additives and model contaminants). In the whole, we investigated the effects of process parameters and contaminant structure on the extraction kinetic, and the influence of the supercritical CO2 extraction on the rheological and thermal behaviors of the purified materials. On the other hand, we aimed at the development of a novel continuous extraction process by coupling supercritical extraction technique and twin-screw extrusion. The most significant results showed the potential of supercritical CO2 extraction in batch mode for the purification of polyolefins without influence significantly the matrix properties

This project utilised a novel solvent-free continuous cocrystallisation (SFCC) method to manufacture pharmaceutical co-crystals. The objectives were to optimize the process towards achieving high co-crystal yields and to understand the behaviour of co-crystals under different conditions. Particular attention was paid to the development of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as a process analytical technology (PAT). Twin screw, hot melt extrusion was the base technique of the SFCC process. Changing parameters such as temperature, screw speed and screw geometry was important for improving the co-crystal yield. The level of mixing and shear was directly influenced by the screw geometry, whilst the screw speed was an important parameter for controlling the residence time of the material during hot melt extrusion. Ibuprofen – nicotinamide 1:1 cocrystals and carbamazepine – nicotinamide 1:1 co-crystals were successfully manufactured using the SFCC method. Characterisation techniques were important for this project, and NIR spectroscopy proved to be a convenient, accurate analytical technique for identifying the formation of co-crystals along the extruder barrel. Separate thermal and model shear deformation studies were also carried out to determine the effect of temperature and shear on co-crystal formation for several different pharmaceutical co-crystal pairs. Finally, NIR spectroscopy was used to create two partial least squares regression models, for predicting the 1:1 co-crystal yield of ibuprofen – nicotinamide and carbamazepine – nicotinamide, when in a powder mixture with the respective pure API. It is believed that the prediction models created in this project can be used to facilitate future in-line PAT studies of pharmaceutical co-crystals during different manufacturing processes. / Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

This project considers the co-rotating twin screw extrusion of a confectionery paste comprising powdered proteins, sugars, water and fats. As is the case with many food industry products, this process has been developed experimentally with little quantitative understanding of how variations in processing conditions influence the formation of the extrudate. A variety of techniques have therefore been developed to characterise and quantify the dispersive mixing, distributive mixing and rheological flow properties of this complex, multiphase, viscoelastic, unstable material. These techniques have then been utilised in a pilot plant extruder study of the mechanics of mixing and paste formation during extrusion, considering the influence of both processing conditions and screw profile. The internal evolution of paste microstructure has been successfully tracked along the length of screw profile using dead-stop extractions of the screws. A rigorous off-line assessment of shear yield strength behaviour using cone penetrometry has shown the use of conventional off-line rheometers to be unviable due to rapid post extrusion hardening. This highlighted the need for an in-line rheological measurement technique for continuous extrusion analysis where the extruded material is severely time dependent and not extractable. In pursuit of this, a novel arrangement of bender elements is proposed and trialled, to rapidly characterise material parameters of viscoelastic pastes. A second technique looking to extend the application of shear wave interface reflection to multiphase pastes is also trialled. A novel analysis of thermogravimetric data (TGA) has generated a viable index of distributive mixing, suitable for use on complex multi-component materials where thermal decomposition temperatures of the components are not well defined. Quantitative image analysis of pastes using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy protein staining and a novel application of multiphoton microscopy (MPM) have been used to visualise paste microstructure and quantify dispersive mixing. From the pilot plant extruder study, the application of these techniques was successful in mapping the evolution of paste mixing and the resulting microstructure, as well as identifying key differences between pastes mixed by twin screw extrusion and batch mixing.

Les protéines isolées végétales sont une source renouvelable de matière première, disponible en grande quantité. Malgré des propriétés mécaniques faibles par rapport aux polymères traditionnels, elles possèdent d’autres spécificités intéressantes comme leur biodégradabilité, leur filmabilité et leur absence de toxicité. Cette étude s’est focalisée sur l’influence du procédé d’élaboration, la compatibilité et l’ajout de nanocharges sur les propriétés de mélanges poly(butylène succinate - co - adipate)/protéines de soja isolées plastifiées (PBSA/PISP). Dans un premier temps, les protéines de soja sont plastifiées et mélangées au poly(butylène succinate - co - adipate), dans des proportions différentes et extrudées simultanément en une étape d’extrusion. Ensuite, l’effet de l’ajout du poly(2-éthyl-oxazoline) comme compatibilisant a été étudié. L’addition de ce compatibilisant permet d’améliorer l’interface et les propriétés thermiques. En outre, l’addition de nanotubes d’halloysite permet d’améliorer certaines propriétés mécaniques et thermiques. Enfin dans le cas de films préparés avec une composition PBSA/PISP égale (50/50), le compatibilisant améliore les propriétés optiques, tandis que l’ajout des nanotubes d’halloysite améliore les propriétés de barrière à la vapeur d’eau et retarde la dégradation du film enfoui dans un sol. L’ensemble des résultats donne de premières indications sur l’usage potentiel de ces films dans le domaine de l’emballage et éventuellement dans le biomédical. / Vegetable isolated proteins are a renewable source of raw material, available in the large quantities. In spite of weak mechanical properties compared with the traditional polymers, they possess other important characteristics such as biodegradability, filmability and they are non-toxic. This study investigated the effect of processing type, compatibilization and addition of nanofillers on the properties of poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate)/plasticized isolated soy protein blends (PBSA/PISP). Initially, plasticizing and blending of soy protein with poly (butylene succinate-co-adipate) at various composition were carried out simultaneously in a single step extrusion. Then, the effect of adding poly(2-ethyl oxazoline) as compatibilizer has been studied. Addition of compatibilizer improves the interface and thermal properties of the blends. Besides, addition of halloysite nanotubes improves some mechanical and thermal properties. Finally, in the case of blend films prepared with equal PBSA/PISP composition (50/50), the compatibilizer increases the optical properties whereas addition of halloysite nanotubes improves the water vapour barrier properties and delay the degradation of blends as tested by soil buriel test. The overall results gives preliminary insights into potential usage of these films in packaging and possibly in biomedical sector.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-21T20:42:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 EduardoNascimento.pdf: 8910148 bytes, checksum: f4ffc847b7369fe32fba17b11a5c5bdc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-11 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The degradation of polymer blends has been the subject of few scientific studies. Further studies are of great importance for understanding the degradation mechanisms in polymer blends. The degradation of the blend of HDPE / PS was studied as a function of their composition, processing temperature and number of processes. The material was extruded in a twin screw extruder co-rotacional interpenetrating at temperatures of 200, 240 and 280 ° C, reprocessed five times in the compositions of 25/75, 50/50 and 75/25 % (w.t) HDPE / PS, in addition to pure materials. An estimate of the distribution curve of molecular weight was made using data from parallel plate rheometry and degradation characteristics of the groups were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transformants. The results reveal two distinct regions of behavior in relation to the degradation of the blend. A domain with the mechanism of degradation of PS in which random chain scission occurs without the change in polydispersity, extending from pure PS to blend 50% HDPE / 50% PS. In this region the behavior is closer to the additivity of effects between the pure materials, tending to the field of mechanism of PS and greater balance between the mechanisms in that it increased the concentration of HDPE. It is inferred that this behavior go to about 40% of PS, where nearly co-continuity occurs between the phases. Another region is seen from the 75% HDPE blend. 25% PS to the pure HDPE, where the dominant mechanism is HDPE, with predominant chain branching and polydispersity increased at lower temperatures, in this case 200 ° C, and high rise of chain scission at higher temperatures, 280 ° C. In this region there is a synergistic effect towards the mechanism of HDPE, i.e. the addition of 25% of BP leads to a show very similar behavior to that of pure HDPE, distinguishing the effect of additivity. There is greater resistance to oxidation, synergistic effect, especially in the composition of 75% HDPE/PS 25% attributed to the dispersed morphology of the blends in this composition. / A degradação de blendas poliméricas tem sido alvo de poucos trabalhos científicos. Estudos mais aprofundados são de grande importância para o entendimento dos mecanismos de degradação em misturas de polímeros. A degradação da blenda PEAD/PS foi estudada em função da sua composição, temperatura de processamento e número de processamentos. O material foi extrudado numa extrusora dupla rosca corrotacional interpenetrantes nas temperaturas de 200, 240 e 280 °C, reprocessada cinco vezes nas composições de 25/75, 50/50 e 75/25 % (g/g) PEAD/PS, além dos materiais puros. Uma estimativa da curva de distribuição de massa molar foi feita através de dados de reometria de placas paralelas e os grupos característicos da degradação foram analisados por espectroscopia de infravermelho com transformada de Fourier. Os resultados revelam duas regiões de comportamentos distintos em relação à degradação da blenda. Uma com domínio do mecanismo de degradação do PS, no qual ocorre cisão aleatória das cadeias sem a variação da polidispersão, estendendo-se do PS puro até a blenda 50 % PEAD/ 50% PS. Nesta região o comportamento fica mais próximo à aditividade dos efeitos entre os materiais puros, tendendo para o domínio do mecanismo do PS e maior equilíbrio entre os mecanismos na medida em que é aumentada a concentração de PEAD. Infere-se que este comportamento siga até cerca de 40 % de PS, aproximadamente onde ocorre a cocontinuidade entre as fases. Outra região é vista a partir da blenda 75 % PEAD. 25 % PS até o PEAD puro, onde o mecanismo dominante é o do PEAD, apresentando preponderante ramificação de cadeia e aumento da polidispersão em menores temperaturas, neste caso 200 °C, e elevado aumento da cisão de cadeia em temperaturas maiores, 280 °C. Nesta região encontra-se um efeito sinérgico no sentido do mecanismo do PEAD, ou seja, a adição de 25 % de PS mostra conduz a um comportamento muito próximo ao de PEAD puro, distinguindo-se d efeito da aditividade. Há uma maior resistência à oxidação, efeito sinérgico, principalmente na composição 75 % PEAD. 25 % PS atribuído à morfologia dispersa da blenda nessa composição.