Drying and particle size reduction

These two quite different operations share the specied hazards that are presented by small, dry particles. These hazards, which relate to surface activity, include static electricity accumulation and the possibility of dust explosions. These can occur in any type of apparatus. No product, therefore, should be dried, ground, or milled without thorough knowledge of its safety-related properties. All of the following must be considered in a hazard evaluation  

Approaches to be considered in process design and equipment selection include  

All applicable factors must be corwidered for each different product and each t5Tpe of equipment. A review is necessary whenever there have been irregularities during production, changes in raw material, or modifications to the process or the equipment. 

These general topics apply to a broad range of apparatus. The sections that follow give some equipment-specific considerations. 

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Polymorphic transformation can take place during pharmaceutical processing, such as particle size reduction, wet granulation, drying, and even during the compaction process.f Tests employed to determine crystal... 

Suzuki E, Shirotani KI, Tsuda Y, Sekiguchi K. Studies on methods of particle size reduction of medicinal compounds VIII size reduction by freeze-drying and the influence of pharmaceutical adjuvants on the micromeritic properties of freeze-dried powders. Chem Pharm Bull 1979 27 1214-1222. 

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