The modified outflow funnel — A device to assess the flow characteristics of powders

• Published in: Powder technology 2009-07, Vol.193 (1), p.87-92
• Main Authors: Ruppel, Joanna, Müller, Anne-Kathrin, Althaus, Georg, Drexel, Claus-Peter, Zimmermann, Ingfried
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemical engineering; Corn starch; Exact sciences and technology; Flow additives; Flowability; Miscellaneous; Mixing; Outflow funnel; Solid-solid systems
• ISSN: 0032-5910; 1873-328X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2009.02.011

Flow regulators are added to solid pharmaceutical formulations to improve the flow properties of powder mixtures. During the blending process the glidants adsorb successively at the surface of the host particles and thus lead to a reduction of attractive forces. A large variety of flow additives based on silicon dioxide is commercially available, but not all glidants are just as well suited for each technological problem or each cohesive bulk powder. To assess the improvement of the flowability parameters caused by a glidant a classification system and an adequate measuring device is needed. We would like to present a new measuring device to evaluate the flow enhancing potency of glidants. The modified outflow funnel features a stirrer that acts in the region of bulk arches obstructing the outflow process of a cohesive powder. By destruction of the bulk arches powder outflow is enabled and the time needed for emanation can be measured as a parameter of the flow properties. In addition other measuring parameters like the force needed to destroy the bulk arches are capable to evaluate the flowability of the powder mixture. Binary powder mixtures consisting of corn starch and flow regulator were blended in a Turbula® mixer for a defined period of time. The flow regulators were represented by fumed silica and a selection of various types of SIPERNAT ® precipitated silica provided by Evonik Degussa GmbH, Hanau, Germany. Flowability parameters of the mixtures were characterized with a modified outflow funnel, Hausner Ratio and a shear tester. A new measuring device to evaluate the flow properties of powders is presented. The modified outflow funnel features a stirrer that acts in the region of bulk arches obstructing the outflow process. By destruction of the bulk arches pulsating powder outflow is enabled and diverse measuring parameters like the force or time needed to destroy the bulk arches are assessed. [Display omitted]