Development of Agglomerated Talc II: Optimization of the Processing Parameters for the Preparation of Granulated Talc

Agglomerated talc was prepared by the wet granulation method using a planetary mixer and a high speed mixer. The effect of the amount of water added and granulation time for the planetary mixer on the physical properties of the agglomerated talc were investigated by a response surface design. The speed of the agitator and granulation time for the high speed mixer were selected as the two independent variables to study the granulation processing using the same statistical design. Several characteristics of the product prepared by a planetary mixer or high speed mixer were well expressed as a quadratic function of the two independent variables studied in coded level. By superimposing contour plots of granule friability and percent fine of granule, a region was obtained where the requirements of friability and percent fines could be satisfied by controlling the processing variables. The optimal granulation condition was chosen from that region. The values of the measured responses of the agglomerated talc produced using the optimal granulation condition agreed well with the predicted values obtained from the regression equations.