Factors Affecting Melt Agglomeration

The effects of binder volume, binder rheology, binder surface property, and binder particle size on melt agglomeration have largely been reported in relation 

A slow and continuous binding liquid addition is a prerequisite for obtaining a power consumption that is suitable for use in process control of wet agglomeration (118). Five characteristic phases of power consumption are identifiable (Fig. 4). In the first phase, a wetting of powder mixture takes place without any observable rise in the power consumption. 

During the premelt agglomeration phase of the powder mixture, the level of power consumption is low and with minimal fluctuations in its magnitude (Fig. 5). 

Overall, the characterization of the melt agglomeration end point using the biexponential mathematical model is simple and without the need to consider the physicochemical properties of the processing materials used. As the process of agglomeration is aimed at making highly spherical pellets, predictive methods based on sphericity will help to capture the ideal end point together with predictive methods based on size. 

Tardos GI, Khan MI, Mort PR. Critical parameter and limiting conditions in binder granulation of fine powders. Powder Technol 1997 94 245-258. 

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