Technoeconomically Optimal and Environmentally Benign Pharmaceutical Manufacturing at High Process Mass Intensity (PMI)

This collaborative research project between the University of Edinburgh (UoE) and a major multinational pharmaceutical company will employ high-fidelity numerical modelling to capture, simulate, visualise and optimise the design and operation of high-value Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manufacturing flowsheets at high Process Mass Intensity (PMI), towards the sustainable and environmentally benign production of medications.

Viable API production intensification is feasible by reducing solvent usage, yet ensuring stably (e.g. no clogging) efficient unit operations is the resulting challenge. More efficient batches at lower solvent inventory reduce waste for higher throughput and profitability. The purpose of this PhD project is to assess in silico the effect of solvent choices, flowsheet configuration (process synthesis) and inventories on API plant efficiency: this can be a game changer, using a unified framework of rigorous kinetic parameter estimation and separation thermodynamics. Industrial placement and collaboration form an integral part of this project.