Influence of process variables on internal particle structure in spray fluidized bed agglomeration

• Operating conditions have a strong influence on the morphology of agglomerates.
• The effect of gas temperature and binder mass fraction was studied.
• Morphological descriptors derived from X-ray μ-CT can express this influence.

In order to enhance and control properties of aggregates and be able to predict the structure of final products, it is essential to establish a link between the product properties and the operating conditions. Experimental investigations have been conducted on agglomerates produced in spray fluidized beds using different primary materials (non-porous glass, porous ceramic) and HPMC (hydroxyl-propyl-methyl-cellulose) as the binder, under varying operating conditions, inlet gas temperature and binder concentration. X-ray μ-computed tomography, μ-CT, was utilized to evaluate the three dimensional micro-structure of the agglomerates and spatial distribution of each constituent primary particle in the aggregate. Values and the behavior of evaluated morphological descriptors are presented and discussed for different agglomerates.

Spray fluidized bed agglomerate and definition of porosity.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide