The role of adding nanoparticles and surfactant to the enzyme liquid binder in fluidized bed granulation process

The influence of enzyme liquid binder properties on wet granulation process was evaluated at both micro- and macro-scales. The micro-scale phenomena, including binder droplet spreading on and penetration into the powder bed, as well as liquid bridge shape and force, were analyzed by introducing SiO2 nanoparticles and SDS surfactant into the liquid binder containing a protease enzyme and 1 wt% of NaCMC. Moreover, the simultaneous effect of formulation variables, including NPs and SDS concentrations, and process conditions, such as binder spray rate and air temperature, was investigated using design of experiments. The average size and the span were considered as the responses. Nanofluid binder without SDS exhibited lower spreading and penetration times and a stronger bridge force. All formulation and process factors significantly influenced granule size distribution. Notably, increasing nanoparticle concentration and binder flow rate, while decreasing SDS concentration and air temperature, resulted in larger granules and a narrower size distribution.