Compaction / Granulation is a size enlargement process that presses powdery material into sheets without the use of a binder. The bonding of the material is ensured by the mechanical pressure exerted on the product by the compacting equipment. The sheets are then crushed and screened to produce a flaked or granular form of the desired sized product.

This dry process can be used as an alternative to wet agglomeration. In addition, the compaction / granulation process allows agglomeration of a wider range of materials than other processes and will provide a specified and constant product size range.

Capacities of compaction / granulation units range from 50 Kg/h to 100 T/h.

Here's what compaction / granulation can do for you:

• Reduce Volume
• Stabilize Mixtures During Handling
• Eliminate Dust Problems
• Control Hardness
• Recycle Industrial Waste
• Reduce Packing, Storage and Transport Costs

FEECO International has joined forces with Sahut Conreur S. A. of Raismes, France to serve the North American market for compaction and granulation equipment. Sahut Conreur was established in 1859, specializing in compaction and briquetting equipment. The two companies have combined resources to provide single pieces of this equipment as well as complete turn-key systems

Granulation by compaction is a dry process transforming powders into granules of various shapes and dimensions.

Generally, there is no need of a binder for compaction-granulation of powders and the bonding of particles is ensured by the mechanical pressure exerted on the product being compacted. The compacts produced at low or high pressure are in flake form of variable thickness (up to 30 mm).

Process

According to the material and the end-product required, the main stages of the process can be as follows:

• A preparation unit for powders (screening, crushing, drying, sieving)  
• A weighing and mixing unit of the components  
• A compaction unit transforming the powders into flakes  
• A granulation-screening unit converting the flakes into granules of the required size  
• And for some plants and in particular for the production of compacted fertilizers, a finishing unit with polishing and coating of granules for improved appearance, reduced amount of residual fines and easier storage

Typical applications are listed as follows, but not limited to:

• Chemicals - sodium carbonate, sodium chloride, sodium sulphate, sodium nitrate, ammonium chloride, iron sulphate, calcium chloride, foundry additives  
• Fertilizers- PK, NPK, potassium chloride, potassium sulphate, ammonium sulphate, potassium nitrate, phosphate, potash, slag  
• Pharmaceuticals - antibiotics  
• Detergents  
• Antioxidants  
• Polymers  
• Coal or charcoal for production of activated carbon  
• Oxides - uranium oxide, chromium oxide, iron oxide, zinc oxide  
• Minerals - lime, dolomite, magnesia  
• Paint pigments  
• Nickel ore dust  
• Clay  
• Dried sewage sludge  
• Catalysts  
• etc...