The effects of powder compressibility, speed of capsule filling and pre-compression on plug densification.
This paper describes the effect of powder compressibility and two process parameters of a dosator nozzle capsule filling machine on powder densification during plug formation. One process parameter was the ratio between the powder bed's depth and the length of the nozzle dosing chamber, hereinafter referred to as F. The other one was the speed of capsule filling. This paper demonstrates that powder densification during the capsule filling process is a function of the powder compressibility and the above process parameters (increasing them leads to higher plug density). The Walker model was used to characterize the compressibility of powders at low compression forces and the obtained compressibility coefficient W proved to be a good predictor of powder densification during the capsule filling process.
Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH, A-8010 Graz, Austria.
Marcos
M
Llusa
Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH, A-8010 Graz, Austria.
Eva
E
Faulhammer
MG2, Via del Savena 18, I-40065 Pian di Macina di Pianoro, Bologna, Italy.
Stefano
S
Biserni
MG2, Via del Savena 18, I-40065 Pian di Macina di Pianoro, Bologna, Italy.
Vittorio
V
Calzolari
GlaxoSmithKline, New Frontiers Science Park, Third Avenue, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5AW, UK.
Simon
S
Lawrence
Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH, A-8010 Graz, Austria.
Massimo
M
Bresciani
Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH, A-8010 Graz, Austria; Institute for Particle and Process Engineering, Graz University of Technology, A-8010 Graz, Austria. Electronic address: Khinast@tugraz.at.
Johannes
J
Khinast
D002214:Capsules; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005079:Excipients / Q000737:chemistry; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010316:Particle Size; D011208:Powders; D011312:Pressure
D002214:Capsules; D005079:Excipients; D011208:Powders; D005780:Gelatin; D002482:Cellulose; C109691:microcrystalline cellulose
Capsules; Dosator nozzle; Plug density; Powder compressibility