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Particle formation and capture during spray drying of inhalable particles
Kristina Mosén1, Kjell Bäckström, Kyrre Thalberg
1Department of Pharmaceutics, The Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Pharmaceutical Development and Technology
|December 8, 2004
Summary
This study details spray drying for inhalable particles using mannitol. Particle size is controlled by feed concentration, gas flow, and droplet size, with cyclone capture efficiency noted.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Technology
- Particle Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Optimizing spray drying is crucial for producing inhalable particles for drug delivery.
- Understanding particle formation and cyclone capture efficiency is key to process control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spray drying process for inhalable particle production.
- To characterize mannitol spray-dried particles and analyze factors influencing particle size and cyclone efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Spray drying of mannitol as a model substance in pilot scale.
- Characterization of spray-dried products, including particle size distribution and morphology.
- Analysis of process parameters: feed concentration, gas/feed flow ratio, and droplet size.
Main Results:
- Smooth spherical mannitol particles with median diameters of 2.2-5.5 micrometers and narrow size distributions were produced.
- Particle size decreased with lower feed concentration, increased gas/feed flow ratio, and smaller droplet size.
- The cyclone device exhibited a 2-micrometer cut-off, with 50% of particles smaller than this size not captured.
Conclusions:
- Spray drying parameters significantly influence inhalable particle characteristics.
- Process optimization can yield solid, nonporous particles suitable for inhalation.
- Cyclone efficiency limitations must be considered in the overall particle collection strategy.