Continuous grinding kinetics of ethenzamide particles by fluidized-bed jet-milling

Continuous grinding kinetics of Ethenzamide powder, as a model active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) was investigated by fluidized-bed jet-milling. Because the oversize fractions after the classification were well fitted by a modified Rosin-Rammler distribution function, an equation of grade efficiency curve was obtained, which was also characteristic of API. A continuous grinding model was developed on the basis of a batch model by using 1st Kapur function relating grinding rate, the grade efficiency curve, and the overall process flow model consisting of grinding, classification, and mixing zones. The residual ratio obtained was well fitted to the experimental results except for the particle size range smaller than 4 microm and larger than 100 microm. Furthermore, because the volume of the active grinding zone adopted as the fitting parameter was found to be 5 cm3 in all experiments and the value was considered to be appropriate dimensionally, this result supports the reliability of the model.