Tim Freeman, managing director of Freeman Technology, will talk about the value and importance of relevant powder flow characterization as part of a workshop March 4-6, 2014, in Puerto Rico, organized by Mixing Consultants Inc.

Experts and industry leaders from around the world will deliver “Design and Implementation of Continuous Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Processes,” an educational course for pharmaceutical professionals working at the forefront of developing continuous manufacturing processes. The application of Quality by Design (QbD) and Process Analytical Technology (PAT) within the context of continuous manufacture is a central theme.
 
Batch production is currently the norm within the pharmaceutical industry. Consecutive process steps are undertaken, with analysis between each step determining success. However this manufacturing approach is coming under scrutiny as the industry targets greater process efficiency. Continuous processing is perceived as offering a number of advantages, including better asset utilization, faster process development, minimal scale-up,  less waste, reduced manufacturing costs, and improved containment.
 
Freeman’s presentation, “Measuring and Understanding Powder Flow,” explores the importance of fully understanding powder behavior within the context of the processing environment. From the starting point of a discussion of the fundamentals of powder behavior and the mechanisms that define powder flow, the talk will cover the latest methods of measuring powder flowability. The relevance and value of dynamic powder testing will be highlighted with reference to experimental work showing correlation between dynamic powder properties and the performance of powders in process steps such as die filling, tableting, and wet granulation.
 
Related articles on Powder flow:

How to Interpret a Solids Flow Report

Factors That Impact a Powder’s Flowability

When Things Go Wrong: How to Address a Solids Flow Problem

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