Size separation
Prepared by
Miss. Harshali A. Takale
(Assistant Professor),
Sojar College Of Pharmacy,Khandvi
1
Size separation
Definition
Size separation is defined as a pharmaceutical process by which different
sizes of particles are separated from a mixture.
Objectives of size separation
1. To classified materials in two different sizes
2. To prepare granules of required size
3. To formulate uniform dosage form
4. To separate undesirable particles from a mixture
5. To enhance performance and stability of dosage form
6. Quality control of raw material
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Classification of powders according to IP
Indian pharmacopoeia has set the standard of powder for pharmaceutical
purpose , Indian pharmacopoeia specified 5 grades of powder
[Link] powder
A powder of which all the particles passed through a sieve number 10 and
not more than 40% through sieve number 44 is called coarse powder. This
powder is also called as 10/44
[Link] coarse powder
A powder of which all the particles passed through a sieve number 22 and
not more than 40% through sieve number 60 is called moderately coarse
powder. This powder is also called as 22/60
[Link] fine powder
A powder of which all the particles pass through a sieve number 44 and not
more than 40% through sieve number 85 is called as moderately fine
powder
[Link] powder
A powder of which all the particles pass through a sieve number 85 is
called as fine powder 3
5. Very fine powder
A powder of which all the particle passed through a sieve number
120 is all called as very fine powder
Cyclone separator
Principle
In cyclone separator centrifugal force is used to separate solids from
fluid, the separation depends upon particle size and density of
particles. Cyclone separator is used to separate all types of particles
depending on the fluid velocity, otherwise it can be also used to
separate only coarse particles while fine particles are carried out with
the fluid. 4
Construction
1) It consists of cylindrical vessel with a conical base
2) Upper part of vessel consists of tangential inlet
3) A fluid outlet is present at the top most position in center of the
cylindrical vessel
4) Solid outlet is fitted at the base of cylindrical vessel
5) Cyclone separator are available in different shapes and sizes
5
Working
The suspension of a solid in gas(usually air) is introduced tangentially
through tangential inlet at very high velocity so that Rotary moments
take place within the vessel.
The fluid is removed from the central fluid outlet present at the top
position of the cylindrical vessel; if any fine particle is present then this
fine particle is also removed with fluid from the fluid outlet.
The Solid particles are thrown to the walls and fall to the conical base
of the cylinder and collected through solid outlets.
Application
1) Separation of suspension of solid in gas or liquid
2) It is also used for separation of fine particle from coarse granules
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Sieve
Definition
Sieve is a device used for separating wanted material from
unwanted material. They are the simplest and most frequently
used instrument for size reduction.
Sieve is also called sifter.
Types of sieves
1) Woven wire sieve :- it is a general purpose sieve
widely used in pharmacy practice.
2) Bolting cloth sieve :- this sieve are made up of silk,
nylon, and cotton. These sieves generally had
micrometer openings and that is why they are used for
3) separation
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Standards of sieves
Sieves used for Pharmacopeial testing must specify the following standards;-
1) Number of sieves :-
The sieve number is defined as the number of meshes or openings
present in length of 2.54cm in each transverse direction parallel to the
wires.
For example;- sieve number 10 have 10 opening in the length of 2.54 cm
Sieve number 40 have 40 openings in the length of 2.54cm, etc.
2) Nominal size of aperture :-
Nominal size of aperture indicates the distance between the wires. The
IP has given the nominal mesh aperture size for the majority of sieves in
mm or in micrometer.
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3) Nominal diameter of wire :-
Wire mesh sieves are made from the wire having the specified diameter in
order to give a suitable aperture size and sufficient strength to avoid
distortion of the sieve.
4) Approximate percentage sieving area :-
This standard expresses the area of the meshes as a percentage of the
total area of the sieve. It is also known as an approximate screening
area.
5) Aperture tolerance average :-
Some variation in the aperture size is unavoidable and when this variation
is expressed as a percentage it is known as aperture tolerance average.