Working Principle – A Comprehensive Review
It describes the working principle of Granulation Equipments like Vibratory sifter, High shear mixer granulator, Fluid bed processor, Multimill and Blenders which are used to manufacture the Tablet and capsule formulations.
Working Principle of Granulation Equipments
What is mean by working principle ?
The working principle of equipment means fundamental mechanism or concept that enables equipment to perform its intended function. It explains how the equipment operates, what components are involved, and how they interact to achieve the desired outcome.
Table I : Major Equipments used in Granulation Technique with its use and Working Principle :
| Sr. No. | Equipment Name | Uses | Working Principle |
| 1 | Vibratory Sifter | Used to sift the Raw material | Gyratory Motion |
| 2 | RMG*/HSMG* | Used to form Agglomerates or granules | High shear Mixing |
| 3 | FBE* | Used to dry the granules or used to convert granules from powder | Fluidization |
| 4 | Multimill | Mill the Agglomerated through and pass through the specified screen | Impact in air |
| 5 | Blender | Mixing of Granules | Tumbling and Mixing |
*Abbreviations :
RMG : Rapid Mixer Granulator
HSMG : High Shear mixer granulator/ High speed mixer Granulator
FBE : Fluid Bed Equipment
Working Principle of Equipments are Defined in details to understand the meaning of it as Below :
What is mean by Gyratory Motion ?
Gyratory motion is that if a body allowed to rotate at high speed about its own axis in any plane and it is free to move in all three planes. The gyratory forces developed are such that tend to bring the axis of Rotation of the body parallel to the axis of earth.
If the size of the particle is larger than the screen opening aperture the particles shift over the next position avoiding the possibility of screen chocking.
This is the working principle of the “vibratory sifter” which is used to sift the ingredients which are required to prepare formulations.
What is mean by High Shear Mixing ?
High shear mixing is a process of homogenizing materials using mechanical force to achieve a uniform mixture. It involves the use of equipment that applies intense mechanical energy to the materials, creating high levels of shear stress, turbulence, and agitation. This causes the materials to break down and mix together at a high rate, resulting in a finely dispersed and homogeneous mixture.
This is the working principle of the “High Shear mixer granulator i.e. Rapid Mixer Granulator” which is used in Manufacturing of Tablet/Capsule formulations.
What is mean by Fluidization?
Fluidization is a process of making a solid material behave like a fluid by passing fluid i.e. air through it. When the fluid passes through the material, it causes the particles to become suspended in the air and creating a fluid-like state. The fluidization process involves controlling the flow rate and velocity of the fluid to achieve the desired level of fluidization.
This is the working principle of the “Fluid Bed processor” which is used in Manufacturing of Tablet/Capsule formulations.
What is mean by Impact in Air ?
Impact in air is a force or energy generated when an object collides with or strikes the air molecules in its path. When an object moves through the air, it displaces the air molecules, creating a wake or turbulence behind it to break the agglomerates.
This is the working principle of the “Multimill” which is used in Manufacturing of Tablet/Capsule formulations.
What is mean by Tumbling and mixing ?
Tumbling and Mixing is a gentle and slow motion that involves the blender rotating on a single axis, causing the materials to tumble and fall over each other and mix well. This motion is ideal for mixing delicate or fragile materials that require gentle blending, such as powders or granules.
This is the working principle of the “blenders” which is used in Manufacturing of Tablet/Capsule formulations.
