Aspects of granulation in the chemical industry

In general, the intention of granulation processes in chemical industry is to achieve certain product properties. The requirements are specific for each product and cover application properties, process and handling properties, safety characteristics and marketing features. However, selection of an agglomeration process and equipment to be used for production is usually influenced by other factors than product properties: Options are often limited, because equipment which was used for another product is available, or the granulation process has to fit in the total production process.In granulation, only few information about scientifically based differentiation between alternative granulation processes such as mixer agglomeration, compaction or fluidized bed granulation and classification of different apparatus can be found in literature.Therefore, one focus of industrial investigations in granulation is on comparison of different processes and assessment of different types of apparatus. Here, an example for a comparison of different granulation processes with respect to product properties will be shown.

Development of a granulation process in the Chemical industry generally aims at an improvement of product properties, but is usually influenced by other factors. Due to the great variety in technology, industrial research is not only concerned with the physical processes involved, but also needs to regard alternative processes. A comparative case with four alternative granulation processes is shown.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide