Agglomeration circuit

As the fundamental understanding of agglomeration circuits improves and suitable monitoring instrumentation is developed, simulation and automatic computer control [28] of these operations becomes possible. 

Figure 3 A typical agglomeration circuit utilized in the processing of pharmaceuticals involving both granulation and compression techniques. (From Refs. 1-5.)...

O. Lofgren, C.-G. Nilsson and R. Odman, Operational experiences on balling circuits with drums, discs, and roller seed screens, in K.V.S. Sastry (Ed.), Agglomeration 77, AIME, New York, 1977, pp. 425-435. 

Therefore it is very common to find islands of solids floating in the anaerobic ponds. This often results in dead spots and short-circuiting in the ponds, which reduces the treatment efficiency of the system. Obviously it is very labor intensive and expensive to maintain the ponding system in very satisfactory conditions. It is also imperative to ensure that as little oil as possible is allowed to get into the anaerobic pond. Otherwise the oil will agglomerate with the rising solids brought up by the biogas and form a sticky scum that is difficult to remove. It is not advisable to allow excessive accumulation of the scum so that the effectiveness of the system is not adversely affected. 

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