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The Effect of the Chopper on Granules from Wet High-Shear Granulation Using a PMA-1 Granulator

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Abstract

Chopper presence and then chopper speed was varied during wet high shear granulation of a placebo formulation using a PMA-1 granulator while also varying the impeller speed. The granules were extensively analyzed for differences due to the chopper. The effect of the chopper on the granules varied with impeller speed from no effect at a low impeller speed of 300 rpm to flow interruptions at an impeller speed of 700 rpm to minimal impact at very high impeller speeds as caking at the bowl perimeter obscured the effect of the chopper on the flow pattern. Differences in the granule flowability were minimal. However, it was concluded that the largest fraction of optimal granules would be obtained at an impeller speed of 700 rpm with the chopper at 1,000 rpm allowing balances between flow establishment, segregation, and centrifugal forces.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to acknowledge the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) for their financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5B9

    Lauren Briens & Ryan Logan

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  1. Lauren Briens
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  2. Ryan Logan
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Correspondence to Lauren Briens.

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Briens, L., Logan, R. The Effect of the Chopper on Granules from Wet High-Shear Granulation Using a PMA-1 Granulator. AAPS PharmSciTech 12, 1358–1365 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-011-9703-1

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