Improving Tableting Performance of Lactose Monohydrate by Fluid-Bed Melt Granulation Co-Processing

Co-processing is commonly used approach to improve functional characteristics of pharmaceutical excipients to become suitable for tablet production by direct compression. This study aimed to improve tableting characteristics of lactose monohydrate (LMH) by co-processing by fluid-bed melt granulation with addition of hydrophilic (PEG 4000 and poloxamer 188) and lipophilic (glyceryl palmitostearate) meltable binders. In addition to binding purpose, hydrophilic and lipophilic excipients were added to achieve self-lubricating properties of mixture. Co-processed mixtures exhibit superior flow properties compared to pure LMH and comparable or better flowability relative to commercial excipient Ludipress®. Compaction of mixtures co-processed with 20% PEG 4000 and 20% poloxamer 188 resulted in tablets with acceptable tensile strength (>2 MPa) and good lubricating properties (ejection and detachment stress values below 5 MPa) in a wide range of compression pressures. While the best lubricating properties were observed when glyceryl palmitostearate was used as meltable binder, obtained tablets failed to fulfil required mechanical characteristics. Although addition of meltable binder improves interparticle bonding, disintegration time was not prolonged compared to commercial excipient Ludipress®. Co-processed mixtures containing 20% of either PEG 4000 or poloxamer 188 showed superior tabletability and lubricant properties relative to LMH and Ludipress® and can be good candidates for tablet production by direct compression.

Polypropylene Composites Reinforced by Nonmetallic from Waste Printed Circuit Boards Using Spout-Fluid Bed Coating with PP Particles Enhance Fluidization

Nonmetallic materials recycled from waste printed circuit boards (N-WPCBs) were modified by coating KH-550 in a spout-fluid bed. To improve the effect of the modification, PP particles were used to enhance the fluidization quality of the N-WPCB particles in the coating modification. Then, the modified N-WPCBs were used as fillers to fabricate PP/N-WPCB composites. The method of coating in a spout-fluid bed with PP particles enhanced fluidization and showed the best modification effect compared to other coating methods. The FT-IR and SEM results demonstrated that interfacial bonding between N-WPCBs and PP could be enhanced by modified N-WPCBs, which improved the mechanical properties of the composites. When the mass ratio of PP to N-WPCBs is 100:75 and the dose of KH-550 is 4 phr, the flexural strength, tensile strength, and impact strength of the composites increase by 16.60%, 23.22%, and 23.64%, respectively. This would realize the high-value utilization of N-WPCBs with coating modification in the spout-fluid bed.

Biorefinery via Catalytic Upgraded Fast Pyrolysis of Biomass

Energy can be produced from biomass by biochemical, biological and thermal process. Pyrolysis is a thermal process that operate at temperature between 400-600C in absence of oxygen or with very low amount, to produce a bio-oil, char and gas. The best technology is fast pyrolysis that produce higher amount of liquid bio-oil, particularly 75% of liquid, -at 500oC without oxygen, contact time lesser 2sec a drying of biomass till 10%, with dimension of particles of biomass of 3mm, using mainly bubbling fluid bed, However the bio-oil obtained with fast pyrolysis present a lot drawbacks: it presents a high amount of oxygen, high acidity, high viscosity, high moisture and chemical instability. Fast pyrolysis can be upgraded operating in the presence of a catalyst (in-situ) or with a downstream catalytic reactor to the that one of fast pyrolysis (ex situ). Besides it is possible upgrade the bio-oil transforming it in fuels and chemical products realizing the catalytic pyrolysis in presence of H2 (hydropyrolysis) or realizing hydrodeoxygenation reactions downstream the fast pyrolysis or using as reductants wastes from plastics, from rubber of tires or from organic wastes in order to realize a catalytic co-pyrolysis.

Improving the efficiency of fluidized bed comminution of limestone samples

Purpose: The aim of the research was to describe the properties and methods of using limestone for desulfurization of flue gases and to analyse the process of fluidized bed comminution and the influence of selected parameters and stand modification on quality of product of fluidized bed comminution. Design/methodology/approach: Tests of the grinding process on the fluidized bed were carried out using a modified fluid bed mill for operational variable parameters and their results were compared with the results received before modification. The modification of the test stand consisted of increasing the height of the grinding chamber, which ensured an increase in the volume of the fluidized layer where the grinding process takes place. Findings: Main parameters that determined the effects of comminution in the analyzed case were: overpressure of working air and the rotor speed of the classifier. The introduction of the modifications of the test stand ensured an increase in the volume of the fluidized layer in which the grinding process takes place. As well as a greater gravitational classification, which caused larger grains to be stopped in the grinding chamber and shift of characteristics of grain compositions towards finer grains. Research limitations/implications: It is assumed that the diameter of sorbent grains used in the fluidized bed can not exceed 6 mm. The granularity of the offered sorbents ranges from 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm. The quality of the desulfurization process depends on the overall granulation of used sorbent grains. Practical implications: Appropriately selected sorbent grains used in wet and dry flue gas desulphurisation plants ensure improved efficiency of the desulphurisation process and lower operating costs of the installation. Originality/value: Thanks to the comminution method used, a sorbent is obtained without impurities and with an increased specific surface, which can be used in fluidized bed boilers.

Exploitation of Design-of-Experiment Approach for Design and Optimization of Fast-Disintegrating Tablets for Sublingual Delivery of Sildenafil Citrate with Enhanced Bioavailability Using Fluid-Bed Granulation Technique

Sildenafil citrate undergoes first-pass metabolism, resulting in poor oral bioavailability at 25–41% of the administered dose. This study aimed to design and optimize fast-disintegrating tablets for the sublingual delivery of sildenafil citrate to improve bioavailability and facilitate rapid onset of action. The design-of-experiment (DoE) approach using 32 full factorial design was conducted to develop a new formulation of sildenafil fast-disintegrating sublingual tablets (FDSTs) using the fluid-bed granulation technique. The levels of partially pre-gelatinized starch (5–15%) and microcrystalline cellulose (10–60%) were selected as independent formulation variables. The prepared FDSTs were investigated for physical properties. Further, the optimum formulation was chosen for in vivo study in rabbits. Regression analysis showed that independent variables have a significant (p < 0.05) influence on critical attributes of FDSTs. The optimized formulation showed acceptable mechanical strength (friability <1.0%) with very fast disintegration (14.561 ± 0.84 s) and dissolution (94.734 ± 2.76% after 15 min). Further, the optimized formulation demonstrated a significant increase (p < 0.01) in Cmax and AUC0–∞ with short tmax compared to the market product (Viagra®). Based on these results, using the DoE approach, a high level of assurance was achieved for FDSTs’ product quality and performance.