METHODS OF SIZE REDUCTION AND FACTORS AFFECTING SIZE REDUCTION IN PHARMACEUTICS

Abstract

Within pharmaceutical manufacturing, size reduction is one of the most extensively used and vital unit operations. Size reduction is a process of reducing large solid unit masses into small unit masses, coarse particles or fine particles. Size reduction process is also termed as Comminution or Diminution or Pulverizations. There are many types of size-reduction equipment, which are often developed empirically to handle specific materials and then are applied in other situations. Knowing the properties of the material to be processed is essential. Probably the most important characteristic governing size reduction is hardness because almost all size-reduction techniques involve somehow creating new surface area and this requires adding energy proportional to the bonds holding the feed particles together. Size Reduction is an important operation in many pharmaceutical applications. The important reasons for size reduction are easy handling, increase in surface area per unit volume and separation of entrapped components.