Pharma Unit

Unit operation
Part 2
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

Classification of powders according to IP

Indian pharmacopoeia has set the standard of powder for pharmaceutical purpose , Indian
pharmacopoeia specified 5 grades of powder
1. Coarse 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
2. Moderately 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
3. Moderately 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
4. Find powder
A powder of which all the particles pass through a sieve number 85 is called as fine
powder
 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.

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

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

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 separation of fine
powder.
3) Bar screen sieve :- They are made up of metal bars arranged in parallel and cross bars
they are used in handling heavy materials.
4) Punched plates:- they are made up of screen and the screen is made up of sheets of
metals and have different thickness with perforated holes. The holes are round, oval,
square, rectangle.

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.
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.