Sprøytegranulering

Sprøytegranulering, also known as spray granulation or spray drying granulation, is a process used in pharmaceuticals and other industries to produce granular materials with specific properties. It combines the principles of spray drying and granulation into a single, continuous operation. In this method, a liquid feed, often a slurry or solution containing the active ingredient and excipients, is atomized into fine droplets. These droplets are then introduced into a stream of hot drying gas, typically air.

As the droplets fall through the hot gas, the solvent evaporates rapidly, leaving behind solid particles. Simultaneously, or as a subsequent step within the same apparatus, these particles aggregate and grow into larger granules. The granulation process is often facilitated by the presence of a binding liquid, which is sprayed into the drying chamber to promote particle agglomeration. The final granules are collected, typically as a free-flowing powder.

The particle size, density, and flowability of the granules can be controlled by adjusting process parameters such as inlet and outlet gas temperatures, atomization pressure, feed rate, and the type and amount of binding liquid. Sprøytegranulering is advantageous for producing granules with improved compressibility, dissolution rates, and handling characteristics compared to simple spray-dried powders. It is widely used for formulating solid dosage forms, such as tablets and capsules, where consistent particle properties are crucial for manufacturing efficiency and product performance.