Calculating the spray rate for tablet coating is a crucial step in the tablet coating process to ensure uniform and consistent coating of the tablets. The spray rate is typically expressed in terms of milliliters per minute (mL/min) and is calculated based on various factors including the coating solution properties, tablet bed characteristics, and desired coating thickness.
Here's a general step-by-step guide for spray rate calculation for pharmaceutical tablet coating:
Determine Coating Requirements:
Decide on the desired coating thickness (usually in micrometers or milligrams per tablet) or weight gain (%) and the total number of tablets to be coated.
Calculate Total Coating Solution Volume:
Calculate the total volume of coating solution needed to coat the entire batch of tablets. This can be done using the formula:
Total Volume (mL) = (Number of Tablets) x (Desired Coating Thickness per Tablet)
Determine Coating Solution Properties:
Know the properties of the coating solution, including its solid content (typically given as a percentage) and density (in g/mL).
Calculate the Weight of Coating Solution:
Calculate the weight of the coating solution required using its density:
Weight (g) = Total Volume (mL) x Density (g/mL)
Calculate the Weight of Solids in the Coating Solution:
Determine the weight of the active solids (e.g., polymers, pigments) in the coating solution based on the solid content percentage:
Weight of Solids (g) = Weight of Coating Solution (g) x (Solid Content Percentage / 100)
Determine Spray Rate:
The spray rate is the rate at which the coating solution is sprayed onto the tablets. It is typically expressed in mL/min and can be calculated using the following formula:
Spray Rate (mL/min) = Weight of Solids (g) / Coating Time (minutes)
The spray rate calculations can also be performed by the number of spray guns & speed of the peristaltic pump.
For example,
Suppose we have 4 spray guns & peristaltic pump RPMs are 10. When the system is turned on & the spray process is started, the suspension from guns is collected in each polythene bag which was previously wrapped around each gun.
After one minute stop the spraying process, remove each polythene bag & weigh it on the weighing Balance to determine the quantity of collected suspension.
Suppose at 10 RPM following quantities are obtained from each gun,
Coating Gun A = 30.1 gm
Coating Gun B = 30.0 gm
Coating Gun C = 29.8 gm
Coating Gun D = 31.1 gm
To calculate the average spray rate use the following formula:
A+B+C+D/4 = 121/4 = 30.25 gm/min
So the average spray rate in one minute for 4 guns at 10 rpm of the peristaltic pump is 30.25 gm/min.
It's important to note that tablet coating is a complex process, and the specific equipment and conditions can vary from one coating machine to another. Therefore, working closely with experienced operators and process engineers is essential to achieve consistent and reliable tablet coating results.
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