July 15, 2021: Pharmaceutical Interview Questions and Answers

1. What is broad classification of Granulation techniques?

Granulation technique is broadly classified into two types as follows:
(i) Dry granulation
a. Slugging technique
b. Roller compaction
c. Pneumatic dry granulation
(ii) Wet granulation
a. Steam granulation
b. Reverse wet granulation
c. Moisture-Activated Dry Granulation
d. Thermal adhesion granulation
e. Melt granulation
f. Freeze granulation
g. Foam granulation

2. What are the equipment used during the Wet Granulation Process?

Depending on process, batch size and type of process steps, following equipment are used during the Wet Granulation Process.

Low Shear mixer/ granulator
High Shear mixer/ granulator OR Rapid Mixture granulator
Fluid-Bed granulator/ dryer,
Spray Dryer,
Extruders and Spheronizer
Vibratory sifter
Cutting mills such as Multimill, Co-mill, Pin Mill etc.
Hammer mill

3. What are the equipment used during the Dry Granulation Process?

Depending on process, batch size and type of process steps, following equipment are used during the Dry Granulation Process.

Role com
Low Shear mixer/ granulator
High Shear mixer/ granulator OR Rapid Mixture granulator
Vibratory sifter
Cutting mills such as Multimill, Co-mill, Pin Mill etc.
Roller Compactor Granulator
Compression machine to generate slugs

4. What is the most commonly used testing method to determine powder flow?

There are four commonly used methods for testing powder flow:
(1) Angle of repose
(2) Compressibility index or Hausner ratio
(3) Flow rate through an orifice
(4) Shear cell

Reference: General Chapters: <1174> POWDER FLOW

5. What is Angle of Repose?

Definition of Angle of Repose: The angle of repose is a relatively simple technique for estimating the flow properties of a powder. It is determined by allowing a powder to flow through a funnel and fall freely onto a fixed diameter base. The height and diameter of the resulting cone are measured. For further reading on Angle of Repose and download free excel, click on this link.