Quantitative Evaluation Technique and Reverse Phenomenon of Discharge Behavior of Pharmaceutical Granules from Hopper by the Rings

Abstract

We evaluated the quantitative discharge behavior of pharmaceutical granules of top, middle, and bottom layer in a hopper, using granules including an active pharmaceutical ingredient. Behavior of granules was clarified using tracer particles with different size and colors.
We developed novel method for which could prevent percolation segregation when particles are discharged from a hopper. Pharmaceutical granules were found to be normally discharged in order from bottom to top layers. However, when the "rings" was installed inside the hopper, we could change the powder flow to discharge top-layer granules preferentially.