MELT PELLETIZATION IN A HIGH-SHEAR MIXER .5. EFFECTS OF APPARATUS VARIABLES

Effects of two different sets of impeller blades on melt pelletization of lactose with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3000 were investigated in a n 8 litre high shear mixer. Results obtained in the 8 litre mixer were compared with previous results from a 50 litre high shear mixer of th e same type. in the 8 litre mixer curved impeller blades were found to give rise to a high power input and smooth pellets of a spherical sha pe, whereas plane impeller blades caused a lower power input and irreg ular agglomerates. Agglomerate growth was found to be different in mix ers of different scale. This difference was primarily ascribed to diff erences in movement of the mass, power input and product temperature.