Dipl. Pharm. Maria Evers

Contents

Abstract

Granulation can facilitate processing of powders by increasing the particle size, therefore enhancing flowability, reducing dust formation and preventing demixing. A common granulation technique for pharmaceuticals is the pelletization by extrusion/spheronization. However, the mechanisms of pellet formation remain a field of active research.
 

Description

For the production of pharmaceutical pellets, cylindrical granules made by wet extrusion are transferred into a spheronizer. Inside the spheronizer, which consists of a rotating bottom plate surrounded by a cylindrical jacket, the extrudate strands break, deform and exchange mass, until a nearly spherical shape is reached.

However, the magnitude of influence on the rounding process of each of these mechanisms remains unknown. Aim of this work is therefore further investigation on the pellet formation mechanisms. The influence of material properties and process parameters on the palletization is also to be measured, as well as the particle dynamics inside the spheronizer.

Curriculum Vitae