(559d) A Unit Operations V-Mixing Experiment to Integrate Particle Technology, Experimental Design and Advanced Data Analysis with Pharmaceutical Applications in the Undergraduate Curriculum

V-mixers are used to mix powders and particulates in a wide range of applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries. This work involves the development of a unit operations v-mixing experiment using a sugar and salt particulate system (80wt% sugar/20wt% salt). This particulate system simulates the excipient and active ingredient formulation in standard aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid).  Students were introduced to and applied v-mixing and particulate and powder technology, design of experiments (DOE) and engineering statistical data analysis techniques.  They developed a mixing quality index and studied the effects of mixing process variables on the mixing quality of the salt/sugar system.  Mixing speeds ranging from 10 to 30 RPM were investigated along with mixing times of 40 to 200 sec.  A 50% loading was used in the mixer. The electroconductivity of sample water solutions was used to measure the salt concentration in samples and ascertain mixing quality.  A factorial experimental design was used to fully describe the system mixing characteristics and develop predictive models for mixing efficacy as a function of v-mixer process variables.  Detailed experimental results and data analysis are highlighted in this work.  The v-mixer system and experimental protocol can be adapted to a wide range of applications ranging from K-12 demonstrations to research investigations.