Size Flashcards
What is size reduction also known as?
Comminution, pulverization, grinding or millin
reducing a solid into a smaller state of sub-division
Why do we do size reduction?
- Increase SA for reaction
- Improve extraction of active principles
- Improve dispersibility in solution
- Allow better mixing or blending**
- Enable rapid dissolution**
- Preliminary process in preparation of products**
**impt for solid dosage forms
Dec size, Inc SA, Inc Dissolubility
What is the % of energy input that affects size reduction?
And how is energy lost?
1-2% energy input affects size reduction
Energy loss by:
- elastic deformation, plastic deformation without fracture, deformation to initial cracks, deformation of machine parts
- Inter-particle friction, particle-wall friction
- heat, sound, vibration
What are the modes of milling process?
Mode I: Crack opening by tensile spreading at crack tip (Tension on both sides)
Mode II: Crack sliding by shear deformation parallel to crack direction (Shearing, opposite directions)
Mode III: Crack tearing by shear deformation perpendicular to crack direction (tearing)
What is milling?
Particles fracture (equal size parts) or abrade (chipping off small particles from a larger particle) to give smaller particles
What is the Hooke’s Law?
F = kX
F - force needed to extend or compress a spring by some amt
According to the Hooke’s Law, what point gives a successful milling process?
The supplied energy must be capable of exerting stress beyond the material’s break or fracture point.
AB - elastic deformation (reversible)
BC - plastic deformation (irreversible)
DE - Path of plastic recovery
What is the particle size distribution in milling?
Size distribution typically starts unimodal; With attrition, changes to bimodal
uni –> bimodal –> back to unimodal but in a smaller size range
What are some (3) considerations in size reduction?
- Properties of material:
- Thermolability (if not heat stable, problem)
- m.p.,
- flammability,
- deformation characteristics (deformed into hard and may not break down) - Fracture mechanisms of particles: hardness and tensile strength
- Mechanical: type of equipment
- Impact, shear or pressure
- Material in contact with product (stainless steel, SS304, 316)
- temp control (machine requires to remove excessive heat)
What are the 4 basic mechanisms for size reduction equipment causing breakage?
- Impact: particle concussion by a single force (hammer) (often used)
- Compression: particle disintegration by 2 rigid forces (nut-cracker)
- Shear: produced by particle to particle interactions (scissors) (more effective for fibrous materials)
- Attrition: arising from particles scraping against one another or against a rigid surface (grinding stone)
What are the advantages and disadvantages of wet grinding?
Size reduction in liquid media (water)
+:
- eliminate dust
- easier to handle material
- use less energy
- inc mill capacity
-:
~ inc wear of grinding medium –> some materials from machine parts enter the products
~ Not applicable to soluble materials
~ may need to dry products afterwards (Additional step)
When is roll mill best for?
Best for soft materials, e.g. cream
grind pastes; coarse crushing (like pestle and mortar)
Peripheral velocity of rolls and clearance btw rolls can be varied
What are the different ways to use hammer mill?
- popular but less precise milling
- Rotor type/ Rasping Screen: Low energy calibrating mill
- Knife-edge rotor: comminutor/ chopping mill (for herbal materials, breaks down cellulose material better)
- Impact edge: pulverisation powder grinding
blade rotor: knife and blunt edge
bar rotor: gentle action, de-lumping
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Hammer Mill Technology?
+ several models and designs
+ medium-high shear applications
+ blades and screens interchangeable
+ suitable for very hard materials; cheap and efficient too
- noisy & dusty
- can’t plug feed
- belt slippage common due to load
- high vol air generate, ventilation required
- screen selection and installation complex, not scalable
- sifting required after milling
- temp rise due to friction
What are the operating principles (steps) of cone mill?
- Infeed falls into the conical screen chamber
- rotating impeller imparts a vortex flow pattern to the infeed material
- Centrifugal acceleration forces particulates to the screen surface
- Hence, particles are continuously delivered to the “action zone” between the screen and impeller
- Here, the particles are size reduced and instantly discharge through the screen openings