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This study explores the influence of blade design on the low-pressure extrusion process, which is relevant to techniques like spheronization. We investigate how blade geometry affects the extruded paste and final product properties. A model paste was extruded through a basket extruder with varying blade lengths to create distinct wedge gaps (20°, 26° and 32° contact angles). The theoretical analysis explored paste behavior within the gap and extrudate. A model material enabled objective comparison across blade shapes. Our findings reveal a significant impact of blade design on the pressure profile, directly influencing liquid distribution in the paste and extrudate. It also affects the required torque relative to extruder output. The findings of this study hold significant implications for continuous granulation, a technique employed in the pharmaceutical industry for producing granules with uniform size and properties. Understanding the influence of blade geometry on the extrusion process can lead to the development of optimized blade designs that enhance granulation efficiency, improve product quality, and reduce energy consumption. By tailoring blade geometry, manufacturers can achieve more consistent granule characteristics, minimize process variability, and ultimately produce pharmaceuticals with enhanced efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work deals with the creation of a mathematical model which will predict with sufficient accuracy the size of granules in the high-shear granulation process. The aim of the paper was to create a model created with dimensionless criteria to give the size of granules as a function of selected process parameters, equipment, and experimental material. Microcrystalline cellulose granules were manufactured in an experimental granulator of our own construction using a high amount of granulation liquid (absolute humidity >40%). The work also focuses on the study of granule size distribution and the yield of the process in achieving the target granule fraction (0.4–3 mm). Particle size and particle size measurement were performed using 3 D dynamic image analysis (PartAn 3 D, Microtrac). The granules were analyzed with respect to their shape and width of distribution. Using the created model, it is possible with high probability, 89.4%, to predict on our device the median value of the granule size of microcrystalline cellulose, with ±0.1 mm precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selective adjustment of the properties of particular material agglomeration has its inherent place in the chemical, food, but especially in the pharmaceutical, industry. The requirement to produce an agglomerate with desired particle size at a given strength is often formulated. To create the targeted product, it is necessary to know the process parameters affecting the preparation of its features. This paper deals with survey distribution characteristics and compressibility changes of an agglomerate in dependence on the duration of the granulation process through the usage of the most modern devices working with particulate materials. The investigated product will be prepared for coating granulating disc designed at the Institute of Process Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the work was to analyze the influence of process parameters of high shear granulation on the process yield and on the morphology of granules on the basis of dynamic image analysis. The amount of added granulation liquid had a significant effect on all monitored granulometric parameters and caused significant changes in the yield of the process. In regard of the shape, the most spherical granules with the smoothest surface were formed at a liquid to solid ratio of ≈1. The smallest granules were formed at an impeller speed of 700 rpm, but the granules formed at 500 rpm showed both the most desirable shape and the highest process yield. Variation in the shape factors relied not only on the process parameters, but also on the area equivalent diameter of the individual granules in the batch. A linear relationship was found between the amount of granulation liquid and the compressibility of the granules. Using response surface methodology, models for predicting the size of granules and process yield related to the amount of added liquid and the impeller speed were generated, on the basis of which the size of granules and yield can be determined with great accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]