How To Improve The Particle Size And Flowability?

1.What IsParticle Size And Flowability In Pharmaceutical Industry?

Particle Size And Flowability In Pharmaceutical Industry-Sourced:ravikiranallada

For the various medical products like tablet, pill and so on, you may have noticed the applying of various particle in it. Particle size and flowability makes a lot affect for your medical products quality. The particle with adequate size and flowability makes the gentle flow and smooth manufacturing.

It is important to know particle flow as it makes the main job in tablet pressing work. There are two kinds of flow and you may find free-flowing powder and cohesive powder according to different powder flowability.

2.Why Particle So Important For Your Medicine Products Manufacturing?

Why particle so important for your medicine products manufacturing? Here are the importance of particle feature in your medicine products.

Bioavailability

Particle with large size and low flow has the low bioavailability. As bioavailability makes great affect for medicine absorbing speed and rate, you should make sure your particle with great feature which suits the bioavailability.

Stability

Stability-Sourced:performancelab

The irregular particle is easier to get degrade, aggregate or be sensitive. The problem may lead the low effect, short shelf life and so on. You should thus focus on the regular and flat particle feature.

Dissolution rate

Dissolution Rate-Sourced:wikihow

The size of particle makes great affect for dissolution rate of your medical products. Small particle which has larger surface and volume ratio makes better dissolution rate for your medicine products.

Drug delivery system

Different kind of medicine makes different request on particle size. For example, there is the strict request on particle size for controlled-release formulation, transdermal patches, inhalers and so on. The unsuitable particle size may make bad affect for your products.

Dosage quality   

Dosage Quality-Sourced: zamann-pharma

Your particle size and flowability also make great affect for your medicine dosage. The uniform, regular and smooth particle make the high qualified medicine products. The precise dosage and even powder optimize your manufacturing process.

Machine condition

The powder with bad flowability may lead the block of your machine and may even lead the abrasion of your equipment. The unqualified particle may lead your machine problem and block your medicine products manufacturing.

Regulatory conforming

Regulatory Conforming-Sourced:abingdonhealth

As you have known, particle with improper size and low flowability may lead the unqualified medicine products. The products with defects is unqualified and don’t conform the regulatory standard which is forbidden in market.

3.How To Improve The Particle Size And Flowability?

To make the qualified and great medicine products, you should make a lot for the improving of particle size and flowability.

Adding flow aids

Adding Flow Aids-Sourced:controlconceptsusa

Principle

Flow aids can adsorb into the surface of particles, reducing friction between particles as well as between particles and the container walls. Additionally, flow aids can improve the surface roughness of the particles, making their sliding more smooth.

Common flow aids and applications

Micro-powdered silica

This is a commonly used flow aid. It has stable chemical properties and is widely applied in pharmaceutical formulations. For example, adding micro-powdered silica to some powdered drug particles, typically in an amount between 0.1% and 0.5%, can significantly improve the flowability of the particles. Due to its small particle size and large surface area, micro-powdered silica disperses well on the surface of the particles, providing lubrication and anti-adhesion effects.

Talc powder

Talc powder is also an effective flow aid. It has a layered structure that can reduce friction between particles. However, since talc powder may affect the dissolution of certain drugs, its potential impact on formulation quality should be considered when used. In practice, the amount of talc powder used is generally determined based on the properties of the particles and specific process requirements, typically not exceeding 5%.

Controlling particle size and size distribution

Controlling Particle Size And Size Distribution-Sourced:ftmmachinery

Particle size adjustment

Principle

An appropriate particle size helps improve flowability. Generally, when the particle size is moderate, flowability is better. If the particles are too fine, electrostatic and adsorption forces between particles will increase, resulting in poor flow. If the particles are too coarse, the larger gaps between particles may lead to bridging during flow, which also hinders flow.

Method

Particle size can be controlled through sieving and other methods. For example, particles can be sieved using screens of different mesh sizes to remove overly fine or coarse particles, concentrating the particle size distribution to improve flowability.

Improving particle size distribution:

Principle

The uniform particle size distribution allows the particles to arrange more orderly during flow. When there is a large size difference among particles, small particles can fill the gaps between larger particles, causing irregular packing and affecting flowability.

Method

Suitable granulation processes can be employed to optimize particle size distribution. For instance, in wet granulation, controlling parameters such as binder amount, stirring speed, and time can help achieve more uniform particle sizes. Additionally, classification techniques can be used to separate particles of different sizes and then re-mix them to achieve a more ideal particle size distribution.

Changing particle shape

Changing Particle Shape-Sourced:researchgate

Principle

The shape of the particles has a significant impact on flowability. Spherical particles generally flow better than irregularly shaped particles. This is because spherical particles experience less resistance during rolling, making them easier to flow through containers or pipes.

Method

In the granulation process, special techniques can be used to make particles more spherical. For example, in spray granulation, adjusting parameters such as spray angle, droplet size, and drying speed can result in particles that are closer to spherical in shape. For already prepared irregularly shaped particles, physical methods like rounding can be applied, such as using a rolling method in a rotating container where friction gradually shapes the particles into a more spherical form.

Controlling particle moisture content

Controlling Particle Moisture Content-Sourced:azom

Principle

Appropriate moisture content can improve the flowability of particles. A moderate amount of water can form a thin liquid film on the particle surface, providing lubrication and reducing friction between particles. However, too much moisture can cause particle adhesion, while too little moisture can enhance electrostatic forces between particles, both of which negatively affect flowability.

Method

Particle moisture content can be controlled through drying or humidifying methods. For particles with excessive moisture, suitable drying equipment (e.g., fluidized bed dryers, ovens) can be used to reduce the moisture content to an appropriate level. For particles with too little moisture, they can be briefly placed in an environment with appropriate humidity, or methods like spray humidification can be used to increase the moisture content of the particles.

4.What IndustryDoes Particle Particle Size And Flowability Affect?

Particle feature makes big difference for your pharmaceutical industry. And here are also difference of particle size and flowability in other industry.

Petroleum industry

Petroleum Industry-Sourced:hengqiaocarbon

In petroleum industry, there is the wide use of qualified particle size and flowability. The particle size makes the direct affect for chemical reaction rate. Thus, the particle feature makes the great influence for your petroleum products.

Pharmaceutical industry

Pharmaceutical Industry-Sourced:pharmamanufacturing

There is the wide use of particle feature in pharmaceutical industry. You may find the tablet products, suspension products and many other medical products seek the adequate particle size and flowability for pharmaceutical use.

Construction industry

Construction Industry-Sourced:chemanalyst

In construction industry, you may reduce particle size to make the low voidage rate. The different powder distribution rate may affect the cement density, hydration rate and so on. You should adjust particle size and flowability for the denser cement.

Water treatment industry

Water Treatment Industry-Sourced:haoshpumps

Sedimentation is also the important part in water treating process which refers to the settling of particle in water. The speed of the sedimentation has close relation with particle size and other feature. In the process, the unexpected solids will be removed by sedimentation.

5.What Affect ParticleSize And Flowability?

What affect particle size and flowability? Here are the factors you should pay attention to.

Particle composition

Particle composition and density make the direct impact for your particle size and flowability. The heavier particle will make the easier flow. Particle composition can thus make the great influence for particle size and flowability.

Friction

The friction of your particle surface makes also the difference for your particle size and flowability. You may change friction level to make the sticker and more smoother particle and this makes the difference for your particle flow.

Environment

Environment-Sourced:bulkinside

Different temperature and humidity also makes difference for your particle size and flowability. The extreme temperature and humidity may lead the change of powder feature. You should maintain the adequate temperature and humidity for your particle feature.

Compaction

Compaction-Sourced:bulkinside

Compaction can also make difference for your powder feature. The high compaction level may lead the low flow of your particle or powder. Powder may compact for their own weight and pressure. You should pay attention on compaction of powder and other thing for your flow inspection.

Attrition level

High attrition level makes difference for your particle clumping and so on. The particle with high attrition may stick together which reduces particle flow. You may make the stable flow of your particle with the adequate attrition rate.

Feeding vibration

Feeding Vibration-Sourced:vibrationApplied

The feeding part is equipped with different vibration rate. You may optimize your particle flow with the different vibrating rate. The feeding speed and feeding vibration are both the important factors.

6.How Does Particle Size And Flowability Affect Your Tablets Manufacturing?

There is the wide use of particle and powder in tablets manufacturing world. How does particle size and flowability affect your tablets manufacturing?

Tablet texture

Tablet Texture-Sourced:stock

Particle size and flowability makes great affect for your tablet texture. The different particle size makes the different affect for your tablets appearance. And the fine particle can make the tablets with nice appearance.

Dissolution rate

Dissolution-Sourced:alfatestlab

Dissolution rate makes the great difference for your tablets effect. It has the direct connection with drug releasing rate and bioavailability. For the best effect of your medicine for your body, you should make the great control of your tablets particle for the adequate dissolution.

Compression rate

Compression Rate-Sourced:merlin-pc

Compression rate makes the direct affect for tablet appearance and quality. The unsuitable compression rate may lead the capping and lamination problem. The particle size and flowability make affect for your compression rate which makes different tablets product quality.

7.How To Make The Qualified Particle For Your Pharmaceutical Use?

How to make qualified particle for your pharmaceutical use? Here are some advice for you.

Before production preparation

Particle size and distribution

Particle Size And Distribution-Sourced:swissproficiency

For different medicine products, there are different request on particle size and distribution. To make the qualified particle for your pharmaceutical use, you should make clear the particle size and distribution and get the relative manufacturing process. Here are different milling method and you may find conical mill, crusher and so on for the right particle size and distribution.

Shape and morphology

There are different particle shape. You may find the round one and the irregular one. For different medicine products, there are also the different request on powder shape and morphology. Usually the round and regular particle size is the best for the manufacturing of smooth and robust tablets products.

Surface area and porosity

Surface Area And Porosity Of Metallurgical Powder-Sourced:horizontechnology

Surface area and porosity can make the great affect for your products effect and quality. Surface area and porosity have a close relationship with each other. This two features can decide the property and acting rate of your medical products for body.

Chemical purity and stability

Chemical purity and stability are the basic consideration for your raw material quality. The high purity and stability of your powder and particle are the base for your high qualified products. You should make the careful selection of reliable raw material with great chemical purity and stability.

Biocompatibility and bioavailability

Biocompatibility And Bioavailability-Sourced:epicmilling

Biocompatibility and bioavailability are the reaction raw material may make while contacting with other materials. This can also help predict the effect which may make while material contacting with other products.

Regulatory standards

Regulatory Standards-Sourced:internationalbanker

Here are different regulatory standards for different region and country. Before the manufacturing of your medicine products, you should make clear the regulatory standard for the region and place you plan to sale. There are regulatory standard for  European region, Japanese union and so on.

Choose the right production method

Crystallization

Crystallization-Sourced:edu.rsc

Crystallization is the crystal manufacturing process which can help make the high purified and controlled-size crystals. This manufacturing method is welcomed for some medicine products manufacturing process. You may get the crystal from the supersaturation solution.

Spray drying

Spray Drying-Sourced:tetrapak

Spray drying refers to the rapid powder or granule manufacturing method which apply hot gas to dry liquid or slurry. To the manufacturing of raw material with small size or fine particle feature, spray drying is a great manufacturing way. Here are reliable spray dryer for you to make the work.

Jet milling or micronization

Jet Milling Or Micronization-Sourced:munit

Jet milling is the common methods applied for particle milling. Here are pharmaceutical pulverizer machine for the milling work. It can make the even particles which are welcomed in pharmaceutical industry. The great particle size and type make great particle distribution.

Nanoparticle engineering

Nanoparticles are the fine particle which have the small size of 1 to 100 nanometers. For high bioavailability drugs, nanoparticle engineering makes the outstanding work in manufacturing of high qualified medicine products.

Control Contamination and Environment

Use GMP-compliant facilities

Use GMP-compliant Facilities-Sourced:aaefs

There are various manufacturing equipment for you to apply. And you should use GMP-compiant facilities for your manufacturing process. The facilities which conform GMP standard can conform to great manufacturing practice. It is the great prove of your product quality and effect.

Operate in clean rooms with proper air filtration

Operate In Clean Rooms With Proper Air Filtration-Sourced:iqair

There is the high request on manufacturing environment. The pollution of your powder or particle may lead the reduce of your product quality and effect. You may operate HEPA or other type of air filter in your clean room for the proving of your products hygiene.

Ensure equipment cleanliness and validation

Equipment Cleanliness And Validation-Sourced:bluefolder

You should make the regular maintaining and optimizing for the machines you applied for material manufacturing. The optimization can also make more efficient and qualified powder manufacturing work. You should make frequent cleaning for the preventing of residues affect powder flow.

Prevent cross-contamination

You should make sure the great cleaning of your products and here are various methods for you to adopt. Besides the basic equipment cleaning and HEPA system, you should also make the preparation for the prevention of cross-contamination.

Characterize the particles thoroughly

Characterize The Particles Thoroughly-Sourced:analis

Particle characterization is the basic work for the identifying of particle size, shape and other properties. It is important to the manufacturer for the identifying of particle quality, products property and so on. You should characterize the particle thoroughly as it is the important step for the high quality prove.

8.Are There Other Thing You Should Pay Attention To Besides Particle Size And Flowability In Pharmaceutical Industry?

Raw material makes the deciding role for the products quality in pharmaceutical industry. Are there other thing you should pay attention to besides particle size and flowability in pharmaceutical industry?

Powder segregation

Powder Segregation-Sourced:bulkinside

Powder segregation happens frequently in powder storing or transferring. The different particle feature can make powder segregation easily. You should make the precise components and particle feature in filling dosage.

Pulsating flow patterns

Pulsating flow patterns refer to the special powder flow condition. It makes the great affect for operation precise. For the medicine products which has the high request in precise, pulsating flow pattern is the big problem. You may apply flow aids for the pulsating flow pattern solution. You should also make the equipment change or products monitoring for the condition preventing.

9.Are ThereTests For Particle Size And Flowability?

How to ensure the suitable particle size and flowability? Here are the common tests for particle size and flowability.

Shear cell test

Shear Cell Test-Sourced:azom

Shear cell test is a widely applied method which can be used for the testing of powder feature in different pressure. According to the different feature, there are different equipment and technique for different particle feature. In this test, there are cohesion, internal friction, shear strength and other factor for your particle.

Angle of repose measurement

Angle Of Repose Measurement-Sourced:alterlab

Angle of repose measurements help to get the way of powder and particle work in consistent manufacturing process. This measurements can make the better estimate of powder flow. You may get the flow condition of your particle and then make adjustment according to your medicine type.

Flow-through orifice test

Flow-Through Orifice Test-Sourced:tecquipment

Flow-through orifice test makes the test for the condition of powder in narrow opening. The continuous and intermittent flow pattern can help you make the further decision about medicine products manufacturing.

Conclusion

How to improve the particle size and flowability? How to make the best medical products with the adequate particle size and flowability? Do you find your answers? For any problem or question about particle size and flowability. You may have no hesitate to contact AIPAK now.