Further Understanding of Agglomeration Mechanisms in Spherical Crystallization Systems: Benzoic Acid Case Study

Spherical crystallization is a particle size enlargement technique that can provide significant process and micromeritic benefits to the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients. To this point, mechanistic studies of spherical crystallization systems have not used process analytical technologies to assist in developing an understanding of the complex mechanisms occurring in a spherical crystallization technique. In this contribution process analytical technologies are used to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of spherical crystallization. Moreover, since there are multiple operating modes of spherical crystallization, this study focuses on a subset referred to as spherical agglomeration or agglomeration in suspension. Spherical agglomeration uses a bridging liquid to agglomerate fine crystals into spherical particles. This study evaluates how different methods of incorporating the bridging liquid affect the mechanisms that ultimately lead to the formation of agglomerates. Results show the most ro...