Granulálást

Granulálást, also known as granulation, is a process in which powder particles are caused to adhere to one another to form larger, more porous aggregates called granules. This process is widely used in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, food processing, and agriculture, to improve the handling, processing, and dissolution properties of powdered materials.

The primary goal of granulation is to transform fine powders into granules. Powders often present challenges such as poor flowability, tendency to segregate, dust generation, and low bulk density. Granulation overcomes these issues by creating larger particles that are easier to handle, weigh, and compress. For instance, in tablet manufacturing, granulation is crucial for ensuring uniform die filling and consistent tablet weight and hardness. In the food industry, it can improve the solubility of instant beverage powders or prevent caking in dry mixes.

There are two main types of granulation: wet granulation and dry granulation. Wet granulation involves adding a liquid binder to the powder mixture, which acts as a binding agent, and then drying the wetted mass. The liquid can be water, an organic solvent, or a binder solution. Dry granulation, on the other hand, does not involve the use of liquids. Instead, powders are compacted under pressure to form larger agglomerates, which are then milled into granules. This method is suitable for materials that are sensitive to moisture or heat.

The choice of granulation method and the specific equipment used depend on the properties of the material being granulated, the desired granule characteristics, and the intended application. Granulation is a fundamental unit operation that significantly impacts the quality and performance of many manufactured products.