Agglomeration binders

The standard NF T 65-011 distinguishes the bitumen emulsions by their ionic nature (anionic or cationic), their stability with respect to agglomerates and weight content of base binder. There are 20 grades of emulsions. 

The Beckstead-Derr-Price model (Fig. 1) considers both the gas-phase and condensed-phase reactions. It assumes heat release from the condensed phase, an oxidizer flame, a primary diffusion flame between the fuel and oxidizer decomposition products, and a final diffusion flame between the fuel decomposition products and the products of the oxidizer flame. Examination of the physical phenomena reveals an irregular surface on top of the unheated bulk of the propellant that consists of the binder undergoing pyrolysis, decomposing oxidizer particles, and an agglomeration of metallic particles. The oxidizer and fuel decomposition products mix and react exothermically in the three-dimensional zone above the surface for a distance that depends on the propellant composition, its microstmcture, and the ambient pressure and gas velocity. If aluminum is present, additional heat is subsequently produced at a comparatively large distance from the surface. Only small aluminum particles ignite and bum close enough to the surface to influence the propellant bum rate. The temperature of the surface is ca 500 to 1000°C compared to ca 300°C for double-base propellants. 

Small, complex-shaped glass articles such as thread guides for the textile industry and television gun mounts for the electronics industry are made by the multiform process. The dry-milled powder is mixed with an inorganic binder and a fluid vehicle, and then atomi2ed by a spray dryer into small, dried agglomerates of glass powder and binder with good flow characteristics. They are subsequently pressed to the desired shape and fired. 

Some producers beneficiate the phosphate ore prior to agglomeration to increase the phosphate content and remove undesirable contaminants. One approach uses a water wash to remove fines which are lower in assay and higher in contamination. If too much clay is removed from the ore by the beneficiation, a binder such as bentonite clay must be added back to the ore to faciUtate agglomeration. 

The success of the compaction operation depends pardy on the effective utilization and transmission of appHed forces and pardy on the physical properties and condition of the mixture being compressed. Friction at the die surface opposes the transmission of the appHed pressure in this region, results in unequal distribution of forces within the compact, and hence leads to density and strength maldistribution within the agglomerate (70). Lubricants, both external ones appHed to the mold surfaces and internal ones mixed with the powder, are often used to reduce undesirable friction effects (71). For strong compacts, external lubricants are preferable as they do not interfere with the optimum cohesion of clean particulate surfaces. Binder materials maybe used to improve strength and also to act as lubricants. 

Increase hardness to reduce wear Minimize hinder plasticity Minimize agglomerate voidage Increase hinder concentration or change hinder. Binder plasticity strongly influenced hy hinder type. See above effects which decrease agglomerate voidage. 

Simons, S.J.R. and Fairbrother, R.J., 2000. Direct observation of liquid binder-particle interactions the role of wetting behaviour in agglomerate growth. Powder Technology, 110, 44-58. 

Chemical engineers could also work to devise processes to improve the flow characteristics of powders after they are formed. Such research would help control agglomeration of particles in subsequent processing steps as well as facilitate the production of compacted ceramic preforms. For example, gas-solid chemical reactions might be used to tailor the chemical composition of powders. As another example, better methods of componnding powders with binders might be achieved by processes that mix powders with suitable binders in a liquid and then spray dry the resulting suspension. 

A number of studies (F3, 12, M4, V2) have shown that, provided the constituent particles are small enough, any particulate material will pelletize by systematic agitation without the use of a binder. The rate of agglomeration is greatly accelerated in the presence of relatively large-size solid particles or agglomerates. These seeds, nominally plus 200 mesh in size, are usually the recycled pellets of the powder itself. 

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