Size Reduction
(Unit Objective: Student able to understand
Mechanism of Size Reduction)
Mr. S.C. Atram
Vidyabharati College of Pharmacy,
Amravati
Size Reduction
•Size refers to physical dimension of an object,
•Reduction refers to decrement or the process of
decreasing the size
•Size reduction: An operation carried out for reducing
the size of bigger particles into smaller one of desired
size and shape with the help of external forces.
• Size reduction is the process of reducing large solid
units or substance into smaller unit mass, coarse
particles or fine particle.
• Comminution/Diminution/Pulverisation is another
term used for size reduction.
Size Reduction
Objectives of Size Reduction:
In the materials processing industry, size reduction or
comminution is usually carried out to,
Increase the surface area because, in most
reactions involving solid particles, the rate of
reactions is directly proportional to the area of
contact with the second phase.
Break a material into very small particles in order
to separate the valuable amongst the two
constituents.
Achieve intimate mixing.
To dispose solid wastes easily.
To improve the handling characteristics.
To mix solid particle more intimately.
Advantages/ Applications of Size Reduction:
Content Uniformity
Uniform Flow
Effective Extraction of Drugs
Effective Drying
Improved Physical Stability
Improved Dissolution Rate
Improved Rate of Absorption
Disadvantages of Size Reduction:
Drug Degradation
Contamination
Factors Affecting on Size Reduction
Hardness
Toughness
Abrasiveness
Stickiness
Softening temperature
Material structure
Moisture content
Physiological effect
Purity required
Ratio of feed size to product ratio
Bulk density
Principles of Size Reduction
o Cutting: Material cut by sharp blades. E.g. cutter mill
o Compression : Material crushed b/w roller by
pressure. E.g. roller mill
o Impact: Material breaks by hammer or bars at high
speed. E.g. hammer mill,
Moving particles strike against a stationary
surface. E.g. fluid energy mill
o Attrition: Break down of material by rubbing action
b/w two surfaces. e.g. fluid energy mill
Classification of Size Reduction Equipments
Classification of Size Reduction Equipments
Sr. No. Name of the Mechanism of Uses
Mill action
1 Hammer mills Impact Used for almost
all the drugs
2 Roller mills Attrition and Soft materials
Compression
3 Colloid mills Impact and Used for almost
Attrition all the drugs,
Brittle drugs
4 Ball mills Impact and Used for almost
Attrition all the drugs,
Brittle drugs
5 Fluid energy Impact and Moderately hard
mills Attrition and friable
materials
Theories of Size Reduction/ Milling
A number of theories have been proposed to establish a
relationship between energy input and the degree of
size reduction produced.
Rittinger’s theory
Bonds’ s theory
Kick’s theory
Walker’s theory
Rittinger’s theory
Bond’s theory
Kick’s theory
Walker’s theory
Advantages Disadvantages
◦ It is rapid in action, and is ◦ Heat buildup during
capable of grinding different milling is more, therefore
types of materials. product degradation is
◦ They are easy to install and positive.
operate , the operation is ◦ Hammer mills cannot be
continuous. employed to mill sticky,
◦ There is little fibrous and hard
contamination of the materials.
product with metal ◦ The screens may get
abraded from the mill as no clogged. Wearing of the
surface move against each mill and screen is move
other. with abrasive materials.
◦ The particle size of the
material to be reduced can
be easily controlled by
changing the speed of the
motor, hammer, type, shape
and size of the screen.
Ball Mill
Advantages Disadvantages
◦ It can produce very fine ◦ The ball mill is a very
powder. noisy machine.
◦ Ball mill is used for both ◦ Ball mill is a slow
wet and dry grinding process.
processes. ◦ Soft, tacky, fibrous
◦ Toxic substances can be material cannot be milled
ground, as the cylinder is by ball mill.
closed system.
◦ Rods or bars can also be
used as grinding media.
◦ In ball mill installation ,
operation and labour costs
are low.
Roller Mill
Principal: Material is crushed by the
application of stress. Stress is applied by
rotating heavy wheels, mullers or rollers.
Uses: For crushing seeds before extraction
of fixed oil. Also used to crush soft tissue to help
penetration of solvents.