Optimization of a fluid bed spray coating process using reduced factorial design

A sequential approach to the optimization of a fluid bed coating process of pellets for controlled release using organic solvents and ethylcellulose has been applied using reduced factorial experiments. The optimization was started by applying a 2(4-1) experiment then, based on the results from that study, further experiments were carried out where only the variables which had the most significant effect on the film yield were used. Finally, a 2(3-1) experiment was performed. A relationship was found between the film yield and degree of agglomeration, indicating a limiting value of the film yield (75 per cent) below which only little agglomeration takes place. Above this value, the degree of agglomeration increases dramatically. The limit value was found to change only to a minor extent as a function of experimental conditions.