Understanding the thermodynamic micro-environment inside a pan coater using a data logging device

AbstractObjective: The objective of the current study was to establish the use of PyroButton data-logging device to monitor and quantify the thermodynamic environment (temperature and humidity) of a pan coating process.Material and methods: PyroButtons were placed (fixed) at various locations in a pan coater, including exhaust plenum, spray-gun bar, baffles and were also allowed to freely move with the tablet-bed. A full factorial design of experiments (DOE) study on three process parameters, exhaust temperature, pan speed and spray rate was conducted on a 24 inch pan coater, using a coating system and a core tablet combination expected to have a narrow process operating space.Results: It was shown that the PyroButtons can provide a detailed and useful signature of the coating process. PyroButton data showed that the tablet-bed temperature was always lower than exhaust temperature and that the difference was a function of the operating conditions such as spray rate. Similarly, the tablet-bed humidity was ...