Subhrajit Swain
University of Limerick
Supervisor: Prof. Vivek V. Ranade
Brief Bio
Subhrajit is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) Fellow at the Multiphase Reactors and INtensification Group (MRING), where his research focuses on hydrodynamic cavitation for anti-solvent crystallization, funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe. He holds an MSc in Chemistry from the University of Hyderabad and a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry from Ravenshaw University, where he graduated with a Gold Medal. For his Master's project at the University of Hyderabad under Prof. Ashwini Nangia, Subhrajit focused on enhancing drug delivery through pharmaceutical cocrystallization, bile salt-mediated phase transformation, and induced precipitation delay polymers, resulting in two publishable outcomes. Subhrajit has qualified for prestigious exams like GATE 2024, CSIR-JRF (DEC 2023), and IIT-JAM 2022, and has earned accolades for his research presentations at various conferences. Passionate about science communication, he also enjoys singing, table tennis, and cricket.
Project Description
Crystallisation is a key operation in pharma, aluminium and other industries. This project aims at controlling localised harsh conditions generated by HC for improving mixing, nucleation, seed activation and crystal size distribution (CSD) in crystallisation. This PhD project will investigate the utilization HC for enhancing nucleation, activation of seeds and thereby crystallisation rates of model anti-solvent crystallisation system (paracetamol – methanol – water). Further, strategies for better control of CSD via HC-improved mixing for realising desired super-saturation distribution will be studied. Computational models will be developed to establish links between CSD and HC device design and operation. Results will be useful for various sectors. The key objectives are: 1) Investigate, understand and quantify generation of nucleation sites and seed activation via HC; 2) Develop CFD and PBM models to simulate solid – liquid flow with cavitation. Develop new breakage kernels; 3) Generate experimental data for validating models; 4) Develop quantitative relationships and a methodology for controlling CSD generated using HC devices. The key expected results are: 1) Data on inception, extent of cavitation and CSD in solid-liquid systems; 2) Quantitative data on influence of cavities on nucleation and seed activation; 3) Validated computational models to simulate CSD produced by HC+crystallisation; 4) Quantitative relationship among HC device design, operating parameters and produced crystals; 5) Methods, models and kinetic data to control CSD.
