Mechanisms of agglomerate growth in green pelletization

Abstract The mechanisms responsible for the formation and growth of agglomerates in balling or granulation can be described as nucleation, coalescence, abrasion transfer, breakage, and snowballing. These mechanisms have been identified by means of tracer studies using two calcites which have similar green pelletizing behavior but different fluorescent characteristics. Precise definitions of the growth mechanisms, so as to be useful for mathematical modeling of agglomeration processes, are given. Further, the batch balling behavior of particulate materials in terms of the growth mechanisms is discussed.