Elements such as piping may change the material’s flow characteristics and affect segregation. The whole conveyance system should, therefore, be assessed before developing a solution. Segregation during the conveying of powders is a significant problem for the pharmaceutical industry.
Particle segregation is a common issue in many bulk storage systems, and its existence creates critical quality control problems. Segregation creates inconsistent batches that can inadvertently cause dosage variation in pharmaceuticals.
There are a plethora of easily recognizable segregation mechanisms that can result in faulty products. The most common segregation mechanisms include sifting, angle of repose, fluidization, air currents, and chute trajectory, responsible for more than 80 percent of segregation problems.