Real‐time droplet size analysis using laser micrometer as a process analytical technology tool for continuous dripping process

Abstract

Process analysis and monitoring during the manufacturing of the dripping pills are essential. However, research on developing sensor-based technology or process analytical technology (PAT) tools to analyze and monitor the dripping process is minimal. The purpose of this work is to develop a fast and non-destructive laser detection system for quantitative visualization of droplets, which involves detecting the size of the droplet and calculating the weight of the dripping pills during the dripping process. Several factors influencing the detection performance of the detection system and the detection system capability for quantitation of the pill weight were explored. The laser detection system accurately detects the weight of the dripping pills with the coefficients of determination (R 2 ) higher than 0.99. It was also robust concerning the variation in critical process parameters and critical material attributes. Furthermore, the laser detection system was successfully applied to the production line of Ginkgo biloba leaf dripping pills to monitor the dripping pills weight. The proposed laser detection system can analyze and monitor the dripping process in dripping pill manufacturing with stable performance, high accuracy, and high efficiency.

Real-time quality control of dripping pill’s weight based on laser detection technology

“…In this study, the weight of the dripping pills was used as a controlled variable. In our previous work, a laser detection system was constructed for in-line analysis and monitoring of the dripping process 11 . The functionality and robustness of the laser detection system have been investigated, and the results showed that the laser detection system has an excellent capability of pill weight quantification; hence we have chosen laser detection system as an in-line PAT tool to measure the weight of the dripping pills.…”