A photometric analysis of tablet movement in a side-vented perforated drum (Accela-Cota)

A novel particle tracing technique has been used to study the effect of the normal process variables i.e. drum speed, drum loading and the presence/absence of mixing elements (baffles) on the movement of tablets in a side-vented perforated drum (24 in diameter Accela-Cota). The technique involves measuring the duration of light emission from a single luminous tablet using a photomultiplier mounted to scan the same area as a spray gun, and has enabled the quantification of both the time that the tablet spends on the surface per pass (surface time) and the time that the tablet spends within the bulk of the tablet bed (circulation time) over run lengths equating to the normal tablet coating cycle. The technique also allows the study of the uniformity of tablet appearances by means of circulation profiles. It was found that, while both the surface and circulation times decreased with increasing drum speed and loading, there was irregularity of tablet appearance especially at low drum speeds and in the absence of baffles.