Computer simulation of agglomeration in the Wurster process.

Abstract

A simplified model for computer simulation of agglomeration in the Wurster coating process was constructed using droplet size distribution and the relation between the size of agglomerates and the number of primary particles composing them experimentally determined. Computer simulations were applied to the cases where a 2.5% aqueous solution of hydroxypropyl cellulose (containing sodium carboxymethyl cellulose of 10% on a dry basis) was sprayed on four kinds of sharply fractionized lactose powders between 32 and 75 microns. With cores larger than 53 microns, the agitation exerted on particles strongly suppressed the growth of agglomerates, but the fraction of produced agglomerates reached about 50%. The smallest droplet size that was contributable to agglomeration (critical droplet size) was estimated to be 37.1-49.0 microns, increasing with core size, and the weight fraction of droplets larger than this critical size was only 0.5-2.7%, decreasing with increase in core size. The production of even such a minor amount of coarse droplets could be responsible for significant agglomeration.