Drooggranulatie

Drooggranulatie is a size enlargement process used in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries to convert fine powders into larger, more free-flowing granules. This method avoids the use of liquid binders and heat, making it suitable for moisture-sensitive or heat-sensitive materials. The process typically involves two main stages: compaction and milling.

In the compaction stage, the powder is passed between two pressure rollers that compress it into dense sheets or slugs. These sheets are then broken down into smaller pieces. Subsequently, these pieces are milled or screened to achieve the desired granule size. The rollers exert high pressure, forcing the powder particles to agglomerate and form a coherent mass. The particle size distribution of the starting material can influence the effectiveness of the compaction.

The key advantage of dry granulation is its suitability for materials that degrade in the presence of moisture or heat, such as certain active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients. It also eliminates the need for drying steps, which can save time and energy. The resulting granules generally exhibit improved flow properties, reduced dustiness, and better compressibility for tablet manufacturing compared to the original powder. However, the process may not be effective for very cohesive or very poorly flowing powders, and it can sometimes lead to the formation of very fine particles during milling that require further processing. The equipment used is specialized for compaction and milling.