Effect of Particle Size and Hopper Type on the Powder Flow

A large part of pharmaceutical manufacturing involves the use of materials that are, at some stage in powder form. Characterization of these powders facilitates the prediction of the desired product. Other variables can also be predicted such as: powder processing, equipment handling, math models, process development cost reduction, product quality, consistency improvement. Derived from basic powder flow properties, the recently developed flow indices quantify various basic powder flow phenomena related to blenders, feeders, chutes, bins, tableting presses, and their application to pharmaceutical equipment selection, design and operation. The aim of this work is to study the effect of particle size associated with the powder flow, properties of hooper and repose angle in order to predict powder behavior.