Predicting Powder Flow Obstruction in Solid Dosage Form Manufacture

Powder flow obstruction, such as arching or ratholing, is a prevalent occurrence in the manufacture of solid dosage forms.
Accurate prediction of powder flow obstruction requires the knowledge of both powder flowability and stress condition of the powder in the equipment.
The risk of powder flow obstruction is highest under the active stress state. Traditional Jenike methodology in hopper design assumes the passive stress state and could therefore under-predict the powder flow risks.
Additional insights of powder flow risks, such as stress heterogeneity and flow pattern, can be obtained via FEM analysis.