Pharmacy Courses

Fluid Bed Granulation Process


Introduction

There are many granulation technique available for pharmaceutical products - high shear granulation, fluid bed granulation, dry granulation etc. Where fluid bed granulation is a commonly used granulation technique in pharmaceutical industries. This article covers the following topics - 

  • Fluidized bed granulator principle
  • Fluidized bed granulation process steps
  • Fluidized bed granulation process parameters
  • Fluidized bed granulator advantages and disadvantages


Principle

Fluidized bed granulation is achieved by suspending the powder in the fluidized bed air and then binder solution is sprayed from nozzles that are either positioned above or below the powder bed depending on the type of the granulator.


Steps

Fluidized bed granulation performed maintaining few steps successfully. Which include -

  • Pre-heating
  • Charging or loading
  • Drymixing
  • Spraying
  • Drying
  • Discharging


Fig: Fluid Bed Diagram


Process Parameters

Following process parameters is to be checked during fluid bed spray granulation - 

  • Machine Air Temperature (°C)
  • Product Temperature (°C)
  • Exhaust Temperature (°C)
  • Machine Air flow (m3/hour)
  • Exhaust Air Blower Speed (%)
  • Atomization Air Pressure (bar)
  • Spray pump speed (rpm)
  • Spray Mass Flow (g/min)
  • Inlet Air Moisture (%)
  • Exhaust Air Moisture (%)


Advantages and Disadvantages of Fluid Bed Granulation

Advantages

  • Robust process
  • Granule size is easy to optimize the 
  • Better flow 
  • Smooth surface of granules
  • Less drying time

Disadvantages

  • Time consuming
  • Slower Granules formation 
  • Higher risk of lump formation due to overwetting
  • Less granules strength


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Tags: Top spray granulation process parameters, Fluid bed granulation process parameters, Fluidized bed granulator uses, Fluidized bed granulator advantages and disadvantages, Fluidized bed granulator principle.

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