Dry Co-grinding for Hydrophilic Granule Extrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for preparing granules with high hydrophilic active principles for ruminant nutrition face challenges in extrusion due to irreversible degradation and homogenization difficulties when using meltable binders.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a preliminary step of dry co-grinding the ingredients before extrusion, at a temperature not exceeding 50°C, to improve the dispersion and homogeneity of the mixture, allowing for effective extrusion of granules with a high hydrophilic active principle content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a preliminary step of dry co-grinding of the ingredients is performed before extrusion, then the homogeneity and dispersion of the mixture is improved, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing dry co-grinding of the ingredients before extrusion. This pre-treatment step reduces particle sizes and improves the homogeneity and dispersion of the mixture, particularly enabling effective mixing of hydrophilic active principles with meltable binders. The co-grinding process creates a more uniform particle size distribution that facilitates subsequent extrusion and ensures better homogeneity in the final granules.
2Ease of manufacture
If melt-extrusion is performed without co-grinding, then the process is simpler, but the active ingredients undergo irreversible degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing dry co-grinding of the ingredients before extrusion. This pre-treatment step reduces particle sizes and improves the homogeneity and dispersion of the mixture, particularly enabling effective mixing of hydrophilic active principles with meltable binders. The co-grinding process creates a more uniform particle size distribution that facilitates subsequent extrusion and ensures better homogeneity in the final granules.
3Productivity
If hydrophilic active principle is mixed with meltable binder without co-grinding, then the mixing process is faster, but homogenization difficulties are encountered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing dry co-grinding of the ingredients before extrusion. This pre-treatment step reduces particle sizes and improves the homogeneity and dispersion of the mixture, particularly enabling effective mixing of hydrophilic active principles with meltable binders. The co-grinding process creates a more uniform particle size distribution that facilitates subsequent extrusion and ensures better homogeneity in the final granules.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the successful extrusion of granules with a high hydrophilic active principle content, enhancing their extrudability and maintaining the integrity of the active ingredients, which is not achievable without the co-grinding step, resulting in improved friability and protection of the active principles during digestion.
Implementation Method 1
a preliminary dry co-grinding of the ingredients is performed before extruding the mixture
Implementation Method 2
co-grinding being performed at a temperature of not more than 50° C.
Implementation Method 3
a first step of mixing of the ingredients, (b) a second step of extrusion of the mixture through an extruder
Implementation Method 4
The extrusion machines are machines that use both heat and pressure, by forcing the mixture to be extruded through a die
Implementation Method 5
The extrusion machines are machines that use both heat and pressure, by forcing the mixture to be extruded through a die
Implementation Method 6
a third step of spheronization of the rods
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for preparing cores of granules intended for animal nutrition, the said cores comprising:a hydrophilic active principle present in an active content of greater than or equal to 60% by weight,at least one meltable binder,at least one plasticizer,the said process comprising (a) a first step of mixing of the ingredients, (b) a second step of extrusion of the mixture through an extruder, especially a single-screw or twin-screw extruder, equipped with one or more dies, so as to obtain rods, and (c) a third step of spheronization of the rods, the said process being characterized in that a preliminary dry co-grinding of the ingredients is performed before extruding the mixture, the said co-grinding being performed at a temperature of not more than 50° C. The present invention also relates to a process for preparing granules of hydrophilic active principle comprising the said cores.