This presentation looks at the many types of agglomeration equipment available, as well as how they each work. Included in this presentation are compactors, briquetters, pin mixers, paddle mixers (pug mills), disc pelletizers, and agglomeration drums.

1. Agglomeration
Experts in process design and material
processing for over 60 years.
Equipment Basics

2. Agglomeration is the process of particle size
enlargement. This process transforms material
fines that were previously dusty and difficult
to work with, into a dry, granular product
offering ease of use, reduced dust, and
improved product characteristics.

3. There are many types of agglomeration
equipment available.

4. There are many types of agglomeration
equipment available.
Furthermore, the constant discovery of new
applications for agglomeration have made
existing equipment options increasingly
flexible.

5. What follows is a brief overview on some of
the most common types of agglomeration
equipment available. In general, they all fall
under one of two main categories: pressure
agglomeration, or non-pressure
agglomeration.

6. Pressure Agglomeration
Pressure agglomeration techniques rely on
pressure to cause a material to adhere to
itself, through the application of extreme
pressure. Not all materials will adhere to
themselves under pressure, so pressure
methods are not always an option.

7. Non-Pressure Agglomeration
(Tumble Growth)
Non-pressure agglomeration techniques use
a binding agent to process material into
larger fines. This is done by tumbling the fines
in the presence of a binder, similar to rolling
a snowball.

8. Pressure
Agglomeration
Equipment

9. Compactors
Compactors use pressure to form dense,
jagged granules from material fines.
Compactors are frequently used in the
fertilizer industry to produce fertilizer granules.

10. Compactors
Compactors use pressure to form dense,
jagged granules from material fines.
Compactors are frequently used in the
fertilizer industry to produce fertilizer granules.
Compactors are also called:
• Roll Compactors
• Roll Press
• Double Roll Press

11. Sahut-Conreur Compactor

12. How Compactors Work
Material is fed between two counter-
rotating rolls. The rolls use mechanical
force to press the material into a sheet,
which is then fed through a flake
breaker and granulator, breaking the
sheet up into the desired size granules.

13. Because this process utilizes pressure instead
of a binding agent, it is considered a dry
process, and most often does not require an
added drying step.

14. Briquetters
Similar to compactors, briquetters also use
mechanical force to press material into a
desired shape. Briquetters produce larger,
pillow-shaped agglomerates, called
briquettes. They are commonly used to
process water softener salt and charcoal into
briquettes for consumer use.

15. Briquetters
Similar to compactors, briquetters also use
mechanical force to press material into a
desired shape. Briquetters produce larger,
pillow-shaped agglomerates, called
briquettes. They are commonly used to
process water softener salt and charcoal into
briquettes for consumer use.
Briquetters are also called:
• Roll Press
• Double Roll Press

16. Sahut-Conreur Briquetter

17. How Briquetters Work
Material fines are fed between two
counter-rotating rolls. Each roll has one
half of the desired shapes, and as the
rolls come together, the halves unite,
pressing the material into the complete
pillow form.

18. Non-Pressure
Agglomeration
Equipment

19. Disc Pelletizers
Disc Pelletizers produce uniform, round
pellets. They are often chosen for their
ability to fine-tune the end product size,
creating a premium pelletized product.

20. Disc Pelletizers
Disc Pelletizers produce uniform, round
pellets. They are often chosen for their
ability to fine-tune the end product size,
creating a premium pelletized product.
Disc Pelletizers are also commonly called:
• Pan Pelletizers
• Pan Granulators
• Disc Granulators
• Granulators

21. FEECO Disc Pelletizer

22. How Disc Pelletizers Work
Material feed and binder are fed onto the
disc at a constant rate. Material fines
become tacky in the presence of the
binder, allowing them to pick up more fines
as they tumble on the rotating disc. This
process is similar to rolling a snowball, and is
considered a continuous process. Because
the disc pelletizer is not enclosed, this is an
open system.

23. Agglomeration Drums
Agglomeration drums are also a type of
non-pressure agglomeration equipment.
This type of equipment is chosen for its
heavy-duty construction, high capacity
capabilities, and its ability to be insensitive
to variations in feedstock. For these reasons,
agglomeration drums are frequently used in
the mining industry.

24. Agglomeration Drums are also commonly
referred to as:
• Rotary Drums
• Granulation Drums
• Agglomerators
• Granulators
• Ore Drums
• Balling Drums

25. FEECO Agglomeration Drum

26. How Agglomeration Drums Work:
Material and binder are fed into the drum
at a constant rate. As the drum rotates,
material fines get tacky in the presence of
the binder, picking up more fines as they
tumble against themselves.

27. Agglomeration drums can also be used
when a chemical reaction is required during
the agglomeration process, such as when
producing inorganic fertilizer products. This is
considered a closed process, because
processing is contained within the drum.

28. Pin Mixers
Pin mixers are industrial mixers used for a
variety of agglomeration processes: micro-
pelletizing, mixing, agglomerating, and
conditioning. Pin mixers can be used as a
stand-alone agglomeration unit, or as a pre-
cursor to a disc pelletizing or agglomeration
drum setup.

29. Pin Mixers
Pin mixers are industrial mixers used for a
variety of agglomeration processes: micro-
pelletizing, mixing, agglomerating, and
conditioning. Pin mixers can be used as a
stand-alone agglomeration unit, or as a pre-
cursor to a disc pelletizing or agglomeration
drum setup.
Pin Mixers Are Also Called:
• Pin Agglomerators

30. FEECO Pin MIxer

31. How Pin Mixers Work
Pin mixers consist of a central rotor shaft
affixed with rods (pins) inside a stationary
housing. The shaft rotates at a constant,
high speed, creating an intense spinning
action within the mixer. This thoroughly
mixes the material, creating tiny, dense
agglomerates.

32. Paddle Mixers
Paddle mixers are another type of industrial
mixer. These robust mixers are also capable
of conditioning, mixing, and agglomerating.
Similar to pin mixers, they are adept at
processing a liquid and solid feed. Again,
paddle mixers can be used as a stand-alone
agglomeration device, or as part of a disc
pelletizer or agglomeration drum setup.

33. Paddle Mixers
Paddle mixers are another type of industrial
mixer. These robust mixers are also capable
of conditioning, mixing, and agglomerating.
Similar to pin mixers, they are adept at
processing a liquid and solid feed. Again,
paddle mixers can be used as a stand-alone
agglomeration device, or as part of a disc
pelletizer or agglomeration drum setup.
Paddle Mixers Are Also Called:
• Pug Mills

34. FEECO Paddle Mixer

35. How Paddle Mixers Work
Paddle mixers are comprised of two counter-
rotating shafts affixed with pitched paddles
to create a kneading and folding over
motion. Paddle mixers create an intimate
mixture of materials, and are particularly
adept at processing more demanding
materials.

36. Equipment Tips

37. Choosing quality equipment will go a long
way in providing for an efficient, long-lasting
operation that produces a premium
product.

38. Choosing quality equipment will go a long
way in providing for an efficient, long-lasting
operation that produces a premium
product.
Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach,
equipment should be designed around a
material’s unique characteristics for best
results.

39. Feasibility testing is a valuable component
in the process of choosing which type of
agglomeration equipment (or what
combination of equipment) will best suit
your processing needs.

40. has been a leader in the agglomeration industry
since the 1950s, helping customers solve material
problems through process & product
development, feasibility testing, and high-quality,
custom agglomeration equipment.
FEECO

41. Want to learn more?
Download our
Agglomeration Handbook
Agglomeration Handbook
Intro to Agglomeration
Processing Techniques
Considerations in Agglomeration
And more…
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