Monitoring and control of the fluidization stability and particle size distribution in real-time: application in gas-solid fluidized bed coating and granulation processes

Abstract

The pharmaceutical industry has used extensively the operation of fluidization in particle coating and granulation processes. However, to maintain stable fluidization conditions during these processes is very crucial, because excess moisture content can lead to the collapse of the bed. Particle coating and granulation processes using on-line automated systems to monitor and control is highly desirable not only to allow the operation of a stable bubbling fluidization regime more also to ensure strict quality specifications on the products, such as, the particle size distribution. The present research will aim at studying particle coating and granulation processes, focusing on the use of real-time tools to monitor and control and ensuring stability on the fluidization and quality of the particle. To monitor the fluidization regime will apply the Gaussian spectral analysis methodology of the pressure fluctuation signals and to assess the quality of the particle, the growth will be studied in real time, using a Parsum Probe IPP70, which employs the optical fiber particle counting principle, measuring simultaneously the size and velocity of individual particles. Using the information from the fluid-dynamics of the bed and of the particle size, control strategies in real time, based on Artificial Intelligence (Fuzzy Logic and Neural Networks) will be developed. Other quality characteristics of the material will be evaluated to demonstrate the importance of using control strategies: coating or granulation efficiency, density, moisture content, release kinetics of the coating film or an active ingredient. (AU)