(129f) Study of the Feedframe Effect on Particle Size Distribution

In pharmaceutical industry, the tablet characteristics are an important parameter. Some of the variables that can affect the final properties of a tablet may be present when feeding the die. Feedframe is a common way used to feed the powder to the tablet press dies. There exist different designs of feedframes between manufacturers. It has different paddle diameters and number of paddles, heights, speed, shapes. These equipment variations can make a difference in the powder flow into a die. The filling of the dies also is an essential part to control the final properties of tablets. If the rate is too slow, the dies are starved, and if it is fast the powder can dearate or densify in an inconsistent manner [1]. Because of the complexity of powder flow through the feedframe there is no actual model or principle to describe it. The interest on granular material behavior has been growing in the last years especially for understanding and prediction of powder flow, mixing, and segregation and compaction. The advance obtained from these processes let us focus in one problem that the pharmaceutical industry is facing. This is the mechanical properties of tablets and their final composition. To understand the causal effect, this project focuses on studying the effect of feedframe on the particle size distribution, segregation and flow variability of organic granular materials. These variables have a strong effect on the compression of powders and thus in the final properties of tablets.