Powder flow and mixing in different tablet press feed frames

Eva Siegmann, Thomas Forgber, Peter Toson, Michael C. Martinetz, Hermann Kureck, Thomas Brinz, Stefan Manz, Torsten Grass, Johannes Khinast*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Tablets can be manufactured using a rotary tablet press, which consists of a feed frame followed by the compression and compaction of the powder and subsequent ejection of the tablets. From Quality by Design (QbD) perspectives the feed frame plays a critical role and effects products critical quality attributes (CQAs). Thus optimizing this stage is of huge interest. It is preferable to achieve narrow residence time distributions of the powder in the feed frames as well as homogeneous tablets with respect to their height, weight and tensile strength. In the present study three design approaches of feed frames are simulated using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). We investigate the influence of operational input parameters (i.e., rotational rates) on the behaviour of a free flowing and a cohesive material. The detailed simulation data allows us to compare the mentioned setups in terms of residence times, tablet masses and occurring deviations. Therefore, we are able to determine the optimal feed frame and process settings for both free-flowing and cohesive powders.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)770-781
Number of pages12
JournalAdvanced Powder Technology
Volume31
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2020

Keywords

  • Discrete element method
  • Feed frame
  • Granular flow
  • Incomplete die filling
  • Residence time analysis
  • RTD
  • Tablet press
  • Tablet weight homogeneity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemical Engineering(all)
  • Mechanics of Materials

Fields of Expertise

  • Information, Communication & Computing
  • Mobility & Production

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