DEVELOPMENT OF AGGLOMERATED TALC .1. EVALUATION OF FLUIDIZED-BED GRANULATION PARAMETERS ON THE PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES OF AGGLOMERATED TALC

Studies were conducted to develop agglomerated talc as a tablet diluen t using the fluidized-bed granulation method. A complete 2(3) factoria l experiment was run using a Uniglatt fluidized bed granulator to dete rmine the effects of atomizing air pressure (P), inlet air temperature (T), and the quantity of the granulating fluid (V) upon the character istics of the resultant agglomerated talc. It was found that the atomi zation pressure was the most prevailing factor for controlling the gro wth of the agglomerates in the granulation process. With the decrease of the atomizing air pressure, the geometrical mean particle size and flowability of the agglomerates increased. The volume of the binder so lution (dilution effect) affects the properties of the agglomerates in the same direction as did the atomizing air pressure. Droplet size di stribution of the atomized binder solution was estimated. The result s uggested that the dilution effect altered the properties of the produc t through its adhesivity. The flowability and hardness of talc were si gnificantly improved by the fluidized bed granulation process.