Influence of Agitator Geometry in the Dissolution Kinetics of a Spherical Solid

Abstract

An experimental study has been performed in order to establish both the effect of the agitator geometry and the agitation rate onthe dissolution kinetics of spherical candies. To do so, the dissolution constants were determined in aqueous solution by way ofthe Hixson-Crowell model on three types of agitators, namely, a paddle agitator of two blades, and two turbine agitators of four andsix blades respectively. Subsequently, for a fixed agitation rate the temperature was varied in order to experimentally determine theactivation energy for each agitator. It was found that while the geometry of the agitator has an effect on the pre-exponential factorsof the dissolution constant, the activation energy remains constant. Finally, differences on the dissolution constants as a functionof the angular frequency of the agitator were also found.