Effect of relative air humidity on the flowability of lactose powders

Cohesion; Electric charges; Flowability; Humidity; Lactose; Moisture; lactose; Article; electricity; flow rate; humidity; moisture; particle size; powder; powder flow

Abstract :

[en] Moisture is known to affect the flowing properties of powders. However, the quantification and the understanding of the observed effects are far to be obvious. To study air moisture influence on powder flowability in a laboratory, a conditioning system and a precise flowmeter are necessary. Simple flow testers, which are commonly used R&D laboratories, are not able to quantify precisely the effect of moisture on powders. The use of advanced techniques is necessary. In this paper, we present how a precise and user-friendly flowability test associated with a dynamic conditioning system can be used to quantify the influence of moisture on the flowability properties of lactose powders. The effect of residence time T in high humidity conditions is analyzed. Afterward, we show that the relative humidity range that optimizes the flowability of lactose powders is between 30% and 50%. For lower values of the relative humidity, the apparition of electric charges inside the bulk induces cohesive forces. For higher relative humidity, the condensation of the air humidity at the contact between the grains forms capillary bridges which favors also the cohesive interactions. A model taking both triboelectric and capillary effects into account is proposed to fit the experimental data. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.

Disciplines :

Physics
Chemistry

Author, co-author :

Lumay, Geoffroy ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de physique > Physique expérimentale de la matière molle et des systèmes complexes

Traina, Karl ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie (sciences) > GREEnMat ; Galephar MF, R&D Center, B-6900, Marche en Famenne, Belgium

Boschini, Frédéric ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie (sciences) > GREEnMat

Delaval, Vincent ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de physique > Physique statistique

Rescaglio, A; APTIS, University of Liege, Sart-Tilman, Liège, B-4000, Belgium

Cloots, Rudi ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie (sciences) > GREEnMat

Vandewalle, Nicolas ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de physique > Physique statistique

Language :

English

Title :

Effect of relative air humidity on the flowability of lactose powders

Publication date :

2016

Journal title :

Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology

ISSN :

1773-2247

eISSN :

2588-8943

Publisher :

Editions de Sante

Volume :

Pages :

207 - 212

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 24 September 2025

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