Conditioning is a term used frequently in the field of bulk solids processing to describe a wide range of material treatments, be it for a raw material, a byproduct, or a finished product. Conditioning is an important component in the processing of bulk solids, allowing Continue reading →
This week’s photo shows limestone pellets. Agglomeration is the process of particle size enlargement – collecting material fines in a mass via pressure or non-pressure techniques. Agglomeration offers many benefits, from eliminating dust and preventing segregation, to increasing density and eradicating landfill wastes. Limestone is Continue reading →
An adequate preventative maintenance plan is a major contributing factor to maximizing the service life of a rotary drum, be it a dryer, cooler, kiln, or granulator. Despite being a rugged piece of equipment, rotary drums require a careful balance of load on mechanical components Continue reading →
Rotary drums are the industry standard for everything from granulating fertilizers, to drying, cooling, and even coating them. Throughout the US – and the world – this diverse type of equipment dots the landscape at both mine sites and fertilizer production facilities of all kinds. Continue reading →
This week’s photo shows a material before and after it was pelletized. The material, a fine powder, was difficult to handle because it was so dusty. The material fines seen on the left were processed on a pan pelletizer to turn them into dust-free, easy Continue reading →
Pelletized limestone is commonly used as a soil additive for agricultural purposes. Composed of calcium carbonate, this mineral neutralizes a soil’s acidity, raises the pH level, and improves the absorption of soil nutrients. While limestone is available in powdered form for agricultural applications, this formulation Continue reading →
Drying plays an important role in the non-pressure agglomeration process, both before and after agglomeration. Pre-Drying Drying is often used as a method of pre-conditioning material before pelletization, to help prepare the material for agglomeration. Since moisture is added during the agglomeration process (in the Continue reading →
Pelletizing limestone creates a product with a multitude of benefits. Consequently, pelletized limestone is becoming increasingly popular for residential, agricultural, and commercial users. However, there are a number of material characteristics to contend with before a quality limestone pellet is produced. The following article highlights Continue reading →
Our photo this week shows a rotary ore agglomerator preparing for shipment. The drum, weighing in at around 55 Tons, is being lifted by a crane onto a base while it awaits shipment. Ore agglomerators are used in heap leaching processes around the world for Continue reading →
Limestone and gypsum are regularly pelletized for use as soil amendments and other products. Unbeknownst to many, however, these two materials respond so readily to agglomeration, that they are often tested as an additive in the pelletizing (agitation agglomeration) process when working with hard-to-agglomerate materials. Continue reading →
