Comparison of Wet-Granulation Processes Using Top and Bottom-Drive Granulators
An immediate release (IR) formulation was used in this study. One set of processes was conducted using a 25-liter top-drive high-shear granulator (Vector GMX-25). Comparison processes were performed in a same sized bottom drive high-shear granulator (Powrex FM-VG-25). The following parameters were kept constant: load, dry blend time, water infusion spray rate, and wet-mass time. Mixer blade speeds were standard manufacturer settings. A series of trials using increasing amounts of water were conducted with each granulator to observe the effect on particle size. Resulting granulations were divided and dried via fluid-bed and in an oven. Bulk density and arithmetic mean particle size (D50) were determined for each granulation.