Mixture Experimental Design Research Articles

Transdermal Film Loaded with Garlic Oil-Acyclovir Nanoemulsion to Overcome Barriers for Its Use in Alleviating Cold Sore Conditions.

The exponentially mounting cases of herpes simplex virus infection or cold sores have become a serious global concern. Acyclovir (ACV) and garlic oil (GO)-loaded lipid nanocarrier could be a promising therapeutic approach in alleviating cold sores, as well as limiting the biopharmaceutical constraints associated with ACV absorption and therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, the objective of the current research study was to formulate an ACV-GO self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (ACV-GO-SNEDDS) as transdermal films. The prepared SNEDDS was optimized using an experimental mixture design. The optimized ACV-GO SNEDDS was loaded in transdermal film and was evaluated for ex vivo skin permeation and in vivo pharmacokinetic prospects. An optimized ACV-GO SNEDDs formulation constituted of 10.4% (w/w) of GO, 64.8% (w/w) of surfactant mixture (Tween 20®-Span 20®); 24.8%(w/w) of co-surfactant (Propylene glycol®), and 200mg of ACV, respectively, were prepared and characterized for particle size (Y). The observed globule size of the optimized ACV-GO SNEDDS is 170 ± 13.45 nm. The results of stability studies indicated that the stability index of optimized ACV-GO-SNEDDS was more than 92 ± 3%. This optimized ACV-GO SNEDDS was loaded in hydroxypropyl cellulose transdermal film. The outcome of the ex vivo skin permeation study demonstrated a 2.3-fold augmented permeation of ACV from the optimized ACV-GO SNEDDS HPC transdermal film in comparison to the raw ACV transdermal film. There was a 3-fold increase in the relative bioavailability of the optimized ACV-GO SNEDDS transdermal film compared to the raw ACV-HPC film. The study findings confirmed that the ACV-GO SNEDDS transdermal film exhibited excellent potential to enhance the bioavailability of ACV.

Statistical modeling and response surface optimization on natural weathering of wood–plastic composites with calcium carbonate filler

An experimental mixture design was used to determine the optimum composition of wood–plastic composites (WPCs), manufactured from recycled polypropylene (rPP), rubberwood flour (RWF), calcium carbonate (CC), maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP), ultraviolet (UV) stabilizer, and lubricant (Lub). The composite samples were prepared by extrusion and compression molding. The effects of varying compositions were evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and response surface methodology (RSM). The results showed that all of the factors significantly (p < 0.05) affected on the properties of the composites. The mechanical properties decreased after natural weathering for periods of 30 and 90 days and immersion in water for similar periods. Increasing the CC content increased the flexural strength, modulus, and hardness, but decreased the water absorption and thickness swelling. Natural weathering sharply changed the lightness and discoloration; whereas, the proportions of rPP and RWF in the composites caused smaller changes. The optimal formulation was determined with regard to the overall properties and consisted of 52.1 wt% rPP, 35.9 wt% RWF, 6.9 wt% CC, 3.9 wt% MAPP, 0.2 wt% UV stabilizer, and 1.0 wt% Lub. The desirability of the overall properties was 0.767, suggesting that the model was able to predict the response to an adequate extent of 76.7%. The experimental results were found to be in a good agreement with the predicted results from RSM within a 5% error.

Slack-variable model in mixture experimental design applied to wood plastic composite

This paper describes a statistical and mathematical approach to optimize the mechanical properties of a wood plastic composite with Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) as polymeric matrix. Wood plastic composite are materials that consist of a primary continuous polymer phase, where a secondary filler dispersed phase is embedded, the filler generally is wood fibers or sawdust. The slack variable approach in mixture experiments, consist in selecting a component of the mixture as slack variable, to subsequently design and analyze the experiment in terms of the remaining components. With the experimental design information three slack variable model were fit. Using response surface graphs, we show how different compositions modify the mechanical properties of wood plastic composite. Besides, by the desirability function, the optimal formulation of the compound that simultaneously maximizing the mechanical properties of wood plastic composite, was obtained. Finally, the components proportions that provides the best tensile, flexural and compression strength are presented.

Formulation and optimization of radiation-curable nonisocyanate polyurethane wood coatings by mixture experimental design

Radiation-curable urethane acrylates have been extensively used and successfully implemented in industrial wood coatings thanks to their capability to provide a balance of mechanical and chemical properties. However, isocyanates, one of the main building blocks in the conventional urethane acrylates, pose toxicity and health hazards both in the manufacturing and application, and therefore, are targeted for restricted use and limited occupational exposure in the impending environmental regulations. In this regard, this study presents the development of urethane acrylate oligomers using nonisocyanate approaches and their application in industrial wood coatings. Two acrylic-functional nonisocyanate polyurethane oligomers (NIPU-ACs), NIPU-AC-2 with longer urethane chains and higher flexibility and NIPU-AC-1 with shorter urethane chains, were synthesized as main building blocks of radiation-curable wood coatings. Next, a series of 20 wood coating systems were formulated using a D-optimal mixture experimental design methodology to find the optimized quaternary mixtures composed of the two synthetic NIPU-ACs, and trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) and dipropylene glycol diacrylate (DPGDA) as reactive diluents. The results of the study revealed that at a constant 5 wt% of TMPTA, formulations rich in NIPU-AC-2 showed higher impact resistance, scratch resistance, and pull-off adhesion, which was attributed to the flexible structure of this oligomer. On the other hand, coatings including higher contents of NIPU-AC-1, which induces higher crosslink density (XLD) to the system, demonstrated higher Tg and pendulum hardness. Evaluation of the optimal coatings not only validated the predictability of models, but also determined that the coatings have promising stain and abrasion resistance, and good thermal stability. The results show that NIPU-ACs developed in this study have excellent potential as an alternative to conventional urethane acrylates in the development of low-VOC and sustainable industrial wood coatings.

Optimization of Gluten-Free Pasta Formulation Enriched with Pulse Protein Isolates

ABSTRACT Much of pasta’s properties come from gluten; however, many have an adverse reaction to its consumption. The objective of this work was to optimize the formulation of a protein enriched gluten-free pasta. A mixture design of experiments (MDOE), using isolated protein from pea (PPI) and fava (FPI) as the protein sources, was used to optimize the pasta formulation. Formulations were tested for extrusion feasibility, optimal cooking time, cooking loss, swelling index, color, and hardness. Two optimized protein ratios, 30:70 and 43:57 PPI:FPI, resulted from the MDOE analysis. The optimized formulations were compared to semolina pasta for the same properties. Hedonic sensory evaluation of the optimized formulations, semolina, and whole wheat pastas was conducted: glutenous pastas showed higher liking scores. This study shows that by using PPI, FPI and MDOE it is feasible to formulate protein enriched gluten-free pasta, while further optimization is needed to fully mimic their regular glutenous counterparts.

The fish patty experiment: a strip-plot look

In this article, I provide a detailed discussion of the well-known fish patty experiment introduced in the literature by the late John A. Cornell in the first edition of his famous textbook on the design and analysis of mixture experiments. Cornell used the fish patty experiment as the motivating example for an article discussing that, for logistical reasons, many mixture-process variable experiments are run using a split-plot experimental design. More specifically, he described two possible ways in which the fish patty experiment might have been performed, both of which require a split-plot analysis of the data. These descriptions were not followed by the corresponding analyses of the fish patty data. Moreover, Cornell did not discuss the most convenient way in which the fish patty experiment could have been run, namely using a strip-plot design. In this article, I discuss the logistics leading to a strip-plot design, conduct the corresponding strip-plot analysis and contrast it with the two split-plot analyses.

The effects of chemical composition of fines and nanoparticles on inhibition of formation damage caused by fines migration: Insights through a simplex-centroid mixture design of experiments

Fines migration in the reservoir can leads to damage associated with the mobilization of particles and their posterior accumulation in throat pores, producing obstructions in the flow of fluids, resulting in a decrease of reservoir permeability. An emergent alternative to solve this issue is the use of nanoparticles/nanofluids due to their physicochemical properties that can favor the trapping capacity of fines. Hence, this experimental work aims to evaluate the chemical nature effect of different fines and their respective interaction with three kinds of nanoparticles used in specialized literature for formation damage. In this work was emulated experimentally the retention phenomena through a packed sand bed treated with the different nanofluids and then assessed with the suspension of the fines. The sand beds were prepared with Ottawa sand in two ways: water-wet and sand restored to reservoir wettability (oil-wet). The sand beds were soaked with the specific nanofluids which were with deionized water as carrier fluid for the nanoparticles of iron, silica, and alumina at a dosage of 0.01% in a mass fraction respectively. The suspension of fines was constituted by quartz, kaolinite, illite, at a dosage of 0.2 wt%; the chemical nature was based on an average composition of a Colombian field. The Adams-Bohart, Thomas, and Wolborska models were used for describing the results of breakthrough curves. The beds treated with alumina nanoparticles at 0.01 wt% presented a higher capacity to retain and stabilize the Kaolinite fines, increasing the retention capacity up to 50%. The results agree with the total energy interaction of the fines-nanoparticles system reported for alumina nanofluids. Additionally, critical rate tests at reservoir conditions were performed, obtaining successful results by the increasing of critical rate by more than 50% for water and oil flow velocities in comparison to the untreated system. In this sense, this work presents a comprehensive analysis of selectivity of fines-nanoparticles couples through the design of the optimized experiment, focused on selecting select the best nanofluid treatment for the problem of fines migration.

Optimizing the performance of sustainable nail gel compositions using a mixture experimental design methodology

This study presents the development of two major classes of oligomers extensively used in nail gel formulations – urethane acrylates and polyester acrylates – using sustainable routes. To this end, a series of non-isocyanate acrylic functional polyurethane oligomers (NIPU-ACs) were synthesized by the reaction of cyclic carbonates with a stoichiometric excess of amine, followed by reacting the amine-end groups with methacrylic anhydride (MAAH) to introduce the acrylate functionalities. Moreover, a series of different bio-renewable based polyester oligomers (BR-PS) were synthesized from ring-opening esterification of epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) with various mono/di acids such as rosin, benzoic acid, and itaconic acid.Next, the mixture experimental design methodology was used to formulate two categories of sustainable nail gels based on NIPU-ACs and BR-PS oligomers. The formulations were then evaluated for a set of screening tests, and Design-Expert® software was used to determine the most suitable correlation between the variable parameters and responses. In each category, the optimized formulation was selected based on the desired performance criteria and evaluated for complementary tests. Finally, three-layer nail gels systems were also developed and tested for durability and removability.The nail gel systems developed in this study not only have eco-friendly composition but meet critical requirements such as fast-curing (1−2 min), easy removability (in 5 min), high gloss (> 85 T 60°), and high durability (> 10,000 wet scrub cycles, acetone double rubs > 100, and abrasion resistance of < 20 mg after 500 cycles). The combination of these attributes makes these nail gels attractive alternatives to the incumbent products for commercial markets.

Waste Plastic Sachet as Alternative Anti-Corrosion Filler for Iron Oxide in Resin Coatings

Iron oxides and similar inorganic compounds have served as anti-corrosion fillers for metal coatings. Environmental issues related to the mining of metallic fillers have stimulated interest in alternative fillers such as organic fillers. This paper explores the use of comminuted waste plastic sachets (WPS) as an anti-corrosion filler to resin-based metal coating. Mixture design of experiment was used to study the effect of iron oxide-WPS blends on the film thickness, viscosity, corrosion behavior, and water resistance of the coating. Results show that the film thickness was affected by the presence of iron oxide while the viscosity of the coating was affected by high loads of WPS. Among all coatings, the blend containing 25% iron oxide and 75% WPS produced the highest corrosion resistance. In conclusion, comminuted WPS provided additional corrosion resistance and could serve as an alternative anti-corrosion filler.

Microemulsion and microemulsion gel formulation for transdermal delivery of rutin: Optimization, in-vitro/ex-vivo evaluation and SPF determination

In this research work, the designation of a new microemulsion formulation for the transdermal application of rutin was investigated. After the construction of pseudo-ternary phase diagrams containing tween 80 as a surfactant, ethylene glycol as co-surfactant and IPM (Isopropyl myristate) as the oil phase, the D-optimal mixture experimental design was used for the optimization process. The independent variables were oil, surfactant/co-surfactant and water weight concentrations and the two response variables were rutin solubility in microemulsions and drug release from microemulsions. After that, physicochemical characterization and stability studies were performed. In the other part the rutin, as an active pharmaceutics agent was loaded in the optimized microemulsion formulation to study kinetic of its release and sun protection factor. To investigate the ex-vivo skin permeation and retention of the drug from the carriers, the optimized formulation and its gel form, were examined on rat skin at similar conditions. The proposed formulation showed different release rate, skin permeation, sun protection factor and particle size, compared to recent works. Obtained results indicated that the microemulsion formulation can be used, especially in gel form, as an effective vehicle for prolong transdermal delivery of rutin desirably in sunscreen formulations.

Sequential design of mixture experiments with an empirically determined input domain and an application to burn-up credit penalization of nuclear fuel rods

This paper proposes a sequential design for maximizing a stochastic computer simulator output, y(x), over an unknown optimization domain. The training data used to estimate the optimization domain are a set of (historical) inputs, often from a physical system modeled by the simulator. Two methods are provided for estimating the simulator input domain. An extension of the well-known efficient global optimization algorithm is presented to maximize y(x). The domain estimation/maximization procedure is applied to two readily understood analytic examples. It is also used to solve a problem in nuclear safety by maximizing the k-effective “criticality coefficient” of spent fuel rods, considered as one-dimensional heterogeneous fissile media. One of the two domain estimation methods relies on expertise-type constraints. We show that these constraints, initially chosen to address the spent fuel rod example, are robust in that they also lead to good results in the second analytic optimization example. Of course, in other applications, it could be necessary to design alternative constraints that are more suitable for these applications.

Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS screening method for macrolide and quinolone residues in baby food

A simple, rapid and sensitive screening method by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed for the identification of 7 macrolides (clarithromycin, erythromycin, oleandomycin, spiramycin, tilmicosin, troleandomycin and tylosin) and 8 quinolones (ciprofloxacin, difloxacin, enrofloxacin, flumequine, moxifloxacin, nalidixic acid, norfloxacin and ofloxacin) in meat and egg-based baby foods. Sample preparation was performed using an alkaline modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, Safe) extraction method without additional clean-up steps. A simplex-lattice mixture experimental design was used in the optimization of the QuEChERS extraction solvent. The developed method was successfully validated according to the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC and the European Community Reference Laboratories Residues Guidelines regarding the validation of screening methods 20/01/2010, adopting a fixed permited tolerance for relative ion ratio. Samples of baby food (n = 44) commercialized in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were analyzed using the validated method and none of them presented residues of the searched macrolides and quinolones, with a screening target value of 5 µg kg−1.

Ready-To-Eat Flakes from Acha, Partially Defatted Sesame Meal and Modified Corn Starch: Modeling, Optimization and Characterization

In this research, ready-to-eat flake from a blend of acha, partially defatted sesame, and modified corn starch was modeled, optimized and characterized. The study aimed to develop a design model that would give a healthy ready-to-eat flake. The formulated flour mixtures were developed into ready-to-eat flakes. Mixture experimental design of the response surface methodology was employed. Characterization of the flake showed protein (14.01g/100g), fat (8.69g), fibre (1.23g), ash (5.03g), moisture (9.45g), carbohydrate (61.50g), sodium (92.03mg), calcium (142.50mg), potassium (201.11mg), iron (110.01mg), zinc (85.32mg), thiamine (0.12mg), niacin (9.81mg), folic acid (2.16mg), pyridoxine (1.81mg), and acceptability index (90.10%). The high essential amino acid index (&gt;90%) showed that the product is a good protein-source. The study showed the feasibility of formulating ready-to-flakes with good protein and high acceptability index using acha, partially defatted sesame, and modified corn starch. The production process is scalable and could be employed for both domestic and industrial purposes.

Study of sand-plastic composite using optimal mixture design of experiments for best compressive strength

Nowadays Plastic wastes are a major environmental concern and free raw materials that can be converted to useful product. By this study, those free raw materials of waste plastics are collected and recycled to produce sand plastic composite brick (SPCB). SPCB of characteristic similar to conventional sand-cement brick was produced using simple technology of compression molding by melt blending technique. Best possible mixture composition of sand and plastic weight percentage for higher compressive strength is determined using optimum mixture design of experiment (DOE). Using Design Expert software, a quadratic model was setup as function of the Sand-Plastic Composite element weight percentage. The setup model was confirmed experimentally through ANOVA table and fit summary. Diagnostic case statics and graphical representations of the model were also investigated by using adjusted R-Squared, predicted R-Squared, DFFITS and Cook's D graphs. In addition, the effects of sand and plastic weight percentage on compressive strength variation were also studied. Finally, optimum percentage of mixtures of sand and plastic that would yield maximum compressive strength is predicted from analysis of graph. Maximum compressive strength about 4.95 N/mm2 was obtained when the plastic weight percent of 60% (40 wt% LDPE and 20 wt% HDPE) was melt blended with sand weight percent of 40% (25% of sand size of 1.18 mm and 15% of sand size 0.5 mm). When waste plastic content was greater than 70%; it affects the response negatively this was result from the impurities content. Sand has negative effect on compressive strength when its wt. % is greater than 42% this was due to pore created in sample of SPC that result from non-coherent mix of plastic and sand. The authors concluded that, inventions like SPCB from waste plastics have many environmental and cost advantages. So, mixture Design of Experiment can be used as an alternative mixture design method in order to get better mechanical property product of sand plastic composites.

Optimization of self-emulsifying drug delivery system of cefuroxime axetil

Abstract Overcoming solubility problems is the greatest challenge during formulation of poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (API’s) into oral solid dosage forms. Different formulation approaches were used to surpass this problem and enhance their solubility in the gastrointestinal (GI) fluids, in order to achieve a faster dissolution and better absorption, which will directly influence their therapeutic effect. In this paper, an evaluation of the potential of a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) to improve the solubility of the active ingredient cefuroxime axetil (CA) was done. Screening of the solubility of the API in different excipients was done, and Tween 80, PEG 400, and Olive oil as a surfactant, co-solvent, and oil, respectively, were chosen as the most convenient system constituents. An optimal self-emulsification and solubilization ability of this system was assessed using mixture experimental design statistical tools based on the response surface methodology (RSM). The prepared CA-SEDDS were evaluated for droplet size (d10, d50, d90 in µm), droplet size distribution (Span factor), and absorbance. As a complementary approach, for better representation of the non-linear relationship between the formulation compositions and the observed dispersion characteristics an artificial neural network (ANN) was used. Optimal formulation that consists of 10% (w/w) Tween 80 as surfactant, 80% (w/w) PEG 400 as co-solvent and 10% (w/w) Olive oil, was obtained. Both, mixture experimental design and ANN were combined for a comprehensive evaluation of CA-SEDDS and the obtained results suggested that formulation of SEDDS is a useful approach for improving the solubility of the CA. Keywords: self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS), cefuroxime axetil, design of experiment, artificial neural network (ANN)

Seasonal Variations in Antioxidant Components of Olea europaea in Leaves of Different Cultivars, Seasons, and Oil Products in Sinai

A mixture experimental design resulted in water-ethanol mixture to replace toxic extractants used to date and enhance greenness of extraction procedure. Oleuropein (OLP) and tyrosol (TYR) contents, in leaves from five olive Egyptian cultivars (North Sinai – Egypt) at different times representing summer, winter, and spring, respectively, were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) attached with photo diode array detector (DAD). The results showed that the concentration of OLP and TYR in leaf samples collected in spring and winter was higher than in summer seasons in different varieties. Tyrosol (TYR) and squalene (SQL) contents in oil, from different six olive oil commercial products that are popularly used in El-Arish, were bought from El-Arish local market and were determined as well using another HPLC-DAD method. This work can help nutraceutical companies attempting to manufacture medical products from olive leaves selecting best cultivar and optimum collection season of olive leaves.

Discovering optimal weights in weighted-scoring stock-picking models: a mixture design approach

Certain literature that constructs a multifactor stock selection model adopted a weighted-scoring approach despite its three shortcomings. First, it cannot effectively identify the connection between the weights of stock-picking concepts and portfolio performances. Second, it cannot provide stock-picking concepts’ optimal combination of weights. Third, it cannot meet various investor preferences. Thus, this study employs a mixture experimental design to determine the weights of stock-picking concepts, collect portfolio performance data, and construct performance prediction models based on the weights of stock-picking concepts. Furthermore, these performance prediction models and optimization techniques are employed to discover stock-picking concepts’ optimal combination of weights that meet investor preferences. The samples consist of stocks listed on the Taiwan stock market. The modeling and testing periods were 1997–2008 and 2009–2015, respectively. Empirical evidence showed (1) that our methodology is robust in predicting performance accurately, (2) that it can identify significant interactions between stock-picking concepts’ weights, and (3) that which their optimal combination should be. This combination of weights can form stock portfolios with the best performances that can meet investor preferences. Thus, our methodology can fill the three drawbacks of the classical weighted-scoring approach.

Quality-by-Design Approach for the Development of Nano-Sized Tea Tree Oil Formulation-Impregnated Biocompatible Gel with Antimicrobial Properties.

Despite the promising properties of tea tree oil (TTO) as potential therapeutics for several superficial skin conditions, certain limitations such as physical instability and skin irritation have restricted its widespread use. This study focuses on developing a rationally designed lipid-based nanoformulation (TTO-LNF) in accordance with the US Food and Drug Administration standard using a well-recognized quality-by-design (QbD) approach. Using a mixture experimental design, TTO-LNF has been optimized with 5% TTO, 10% surfactant, 5% co-surfactant, and 80% water, which showed a 14.4 ± 4.4 nm droplet size and 0.03 ± 0.01 polydispersity index (PDI). To ease the topical administration, the TTO-LNF gel formulation was further developed using xanthan gum to achieve the desired viscosity and form a gel. The in vitro antibacterial tests of TTO-LNF showed promising inhibitory effects toward both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In fact, a complete growth inhibition of S. epidermidis was observed when exposed to TTO-LNF and TTO-LNF gel for 24 h, showing better activity than antibiotic kanamycin (25 µg/mL). Additionally, the in vitro release study showed a sustained release profile with a 50% release in 24 h, which could be beneficial to reduce the toxicity and thereby improve the therapeutic efficacy for long-acting applications. Furthermore, the formulations were remarkably stable at 40 °C/75% Relative humidity (RH) for at least 4 weeks. Therefore, this study presents a promising strategy to develop a biocompatible and stable formulation that can be used for the topical treatment of skin infections.

Evaluation of the energy generation potential by an experimental characterization of residual biomass blends from Córdoba, Colombia in a downdraft gasifier

An experimental characterization of crop residue biomass blends to evaluate their energy potential was conducted using an experimental approach in a commercial scale downdraft gasifier. Corncobs, rice husks, sesame stalks and cotton gin refuse were used to study the effect of mixture proportions on equivalence ratio, gasification temperature, syngas lower heating value (LHV), and cold gas efficiency (CGE). Using an experimental mixture design, thirty-two sample blends were evaluated in an Ankur WBG-30 downdraft gasifier with 30 kg/h feed supply coupled with a syngas purification system, temperature sensors and a gas chromatograph. Syngas composition CO, H2, CH4, N2 and CO2 are presented for each blend. It was found that temperature, syngas composition, syngas lower heating value and cold gas efficiency were negatively affected as the proportion of rice husks in the mixture was increased. It was possible to reach CGE values up to 57.91% and LHV up to 4460 kJ/kg under certain blending conditions. A higher percentages of rice husks caused a considerable increase in the variability of the equivalence ratio resulting in suboptimal gasification conditions.

Minimum fluidization velocities of binary and ternary biomass mixtures with silica sand

Minimum fluidization velocity is an important property which can influence the hydrodynamics and chemical conversion in fluidized bed reactor. Most of the fluidized bed boilers usually mix raw biomass solid particles with medium silica sand solid particles. This is because the biomass supply is varied with the season and location. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of binary and ternary biomass mixtures with medium solid particles on the obtained minimum fluidization velocity. The experiment was conducted with three types of biomass including, wood chip, rice husk and palm shell waste, together with silica sand. The biomass mixtures were mixed according to the mixture experimental design. The results showed that the mixture of biomass could improve the hydrodynamics inside the system. The minimum fluidization velocity was thus decreased when conducting the experiment with the binary and ternary biomass-silica sand mixtures. The obtained minimum fluidization velocity range was 0.19 to 0.37 m/s.