Particle Kinematics in Spheronization of Pharmaceutical Pellets

Abstract

Particle Kinematics in Spheronization of Pharmaceutical PelletsFor the production of pharmaceutical pellets, a combined extrusion and spheronization process is widely used, where the particle kinematics strongly influences the rounding in the spheronizer. In this study, the particle kinematics of the actual pharmaceutical pellets was analyzed. For this purpose, material parameters, such as coefficient of restitution and rigidity while loading and unloading, were determined by pressure and impact tests. Based on these parameters, a contact model for the simulation of the particle movement was developed. The simulation results were validated with experimental investigations.

Contact Behavior of Microcrystalline Cellulose Pellets Depending on their Water Content

“…Especially in the pharmaceutical industry, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)‐based pellets, which are filled into capsules or compressed to multiparticulate tablets, are mainly produced by wet extrusion and subsequent rounding in a spheronization process to achieve an equal, spherical pellet shape . During spheronization, the cylindrical pellets undergo breakage, plastic deformation, and attrition, leading to the desired shape change . On the other hand, in the downstream drying and coating processes, the deformation and breakage of wet pellets has to be avoided to reduce the change of their shape.…”