The document discusses various tests that can be performed in a materials innovation center to characterize particles and ensure agglomerates meet desired parameters. These include tests to determine attrition, crush strength, green strength, compression, bulk density, physical characteristics, solubility, sieve analysis, flowability, moisture content, and temperature. Understanding these characteristics helps optimize the agglomeration process and ensures the final product will perform as required.

1. Testing Particle
Experts in process design and material
processing for over 60 years.
in the FEECO Innovation Center
A Detailed Look at
Characteristics

2. Agglomeration is often used to solve a variety
of material problems. From dust issues, to
product handling and performance,
agglomerating material fines can help a
manufacturer to create the best end product

3. Subsequently, manufacturers are often trying
to reach a set of parameters with their
agglomerates. Parameters could be anything
from size and shape, to bulk density, solubility,
or crush strength, among others.

4. A multitude of tests are available to ensure
that agglomerates meet the exact
parameters they need to. The following
information gives an overview of many of the
tests performed in the FEECO Innovation
Center during feasibility testing.

5. Attrition
Attrition occurs when agglomerates
break down into fines – an undesirable
occurrence that results in excess dust
and waste product.

6. Attrition
Attrition occurs when agglomerates
break down into fines – an undesirable
occurrence that results in excess dust
and waste product.
Attrition is frequently seen with granules
created in the compaction granulation
process, because the jagged granules
rub together, causing edges to break
down.

7. Testing for attrition can
be carried out in an
attrition tester – a
machine that simulates
the conditions under
which granules rub
against each other. On-
size pellets are put into
the machine, and once
the test is complete, the
sample is measured to
determine what portion
is still on-size.

8. If too much attrition is occurring,
adjustments can be made to the
agglomeration process to aid in
reducing the occurrence.

9. If too much attrition is occurring,
adjustments can be made to the
agglomeration process to aid in
reducing the occurrence.
This could include a number of things,
from formulation change, to the
addition of binder.

10. Crush Strength
Crush strength determines how strong a
pellet is, or how much pressure it takes
to crush the pellet.

11. Crush Strength
Crush strength determines how strong a
pellet is, or how much pressure it takes
to crush the pellet.
A specified crush strength is often a
sought-after characteristic, because it
has a direct effect on how a product
performs in many applications.

12. A pellet with a low crush strength would
likely not hold up during handling,
causing pellets to break down before
they are even applied.

13. A pellet with a low crush strength would
likely not hold up during handling,
causing pellets to break down before
they are even applied.
A pellet with a crush strength that is too
high would likely not break down fast
enough.

14. Ideal crush strength will ensure that a
pellet can withstand handling and
transportation, but still break down as
needed.

15. A crush strength test is
performed by putting a
single pellet between
two metal plates that
gradually apply an
increasing amount of
pressure to the pellet.

16. Green/Wet Crush Strength
Similar to crush strength, green
strength, or wet strength tests,
determine how strong a pellet is, but
instead of testing final, dry pellets, this
test measures the strength of pellets in
their wet state, prior to drying.

17. Reaching a target green strength is
important to ensure that pellets can
withstand processing conditions, such
as dropping from transfer points
between conveyors, or moving
through chutes.

18. Reaching a target green strength is
important to ensure that pellets can
withstand processing conditions, such
as dropping from transfer points
between conveyors, or moving
through chutes.
A green strength that is not where it
should be would result in pellets
breaking down before they reach the
end of the process.

19. Compression
Compression tests are similar to crush
strength, but instead of testing a single
pellet, this test looks at how pellets
perform together as a unit.

20. It is important in many applications for
the pellets to be able to handle a
specific amount of pressure as a unit.

21. It is important in many applications for
the pellets to be able to handle a
specific amount of pressure as a unit.
This is especially true of the proppant
industry, where proppants must be
able to withstand extreme amounts of
pressure in order to hold open rock
fissures, allowing natural gas or oil to
flow out to the main wellbore.

22. This test is done by placing pellets in a
cylinder, and using a smaller cylinder to press
down on top of the pellets at a specified rate
of pounds per square inch.

23. Bulk Density
Bulk density is another characteristic
that many manufacturers set out to
target. Bulk density also plays an
influential role in the sizing and design
of many pieces of equipment.

24. Bulk Density
Bulk density is another characteristic
that many manufacturers set out to
target. Bulk density also plays an
influential role in the sizing and design
of many pieces of equipment.
Bulk density is measured by filling a
container of known volume with
agglomerates, weighing it, and
dividing the weight by the volume.

25. Physical Characteristics
Physical characteristics of
agglomerates are also
looked at during feasibility
testing.

26. Physical Characteristics
Physical characteristics of
agglomerates are also
looked at during feasibility
testing.
A manufacturer may
require a pellet that is more
oblong than round, or that
has a certain surface
quality.

27. While physical characteristics are easily
examined by looking at the pellets,
utilizing a tool such as a microscope
can reveal things unbeknownst to the
naked eye, providing an in-depth look
and tangible confirmation of the
success of an agglomeration process.

28. Solubility
Solubility is a measure of how a
material will dissolve in water.

29. Solubility
Solubility is a measure of how a
material will dissolve in water.
Commonly also called a dissolving test,
this is simply measured by recording
various aspects as a material is placed
in a beaker of water:

30. Solubility
Solubility is a measure of how a
material will dissolve in water.
Commonly also called a dissolving test,
this is simply measured by recording
various aspects as a material is placed
in a beaker of water:
• Time

31. Solubility
Solubility is a measure of how a
material will dissolve in water.
Commonly also called a dissolving test,
this is simply measured by recording
various aspects as a material is placed
in a beaker of water:
• Time
• Temperature

32. Solubility
Solubility is a measure of how a
material will dissolve in water.
Commonly also called a dissolving test,
this is simply measured by recording
various aspects as a material is placed
in a beaker of water:
• Time
• Temperature
• If the material dissolves

33. Solubility
Solubility is a measure of how a
material will dissolve in water.
Commonly also called a dissolving test,
this is simply measured by recording
various aspects as a material is placed
in a beaker of water:
• Time
• Temperature
• If the material dissolves
• How much of the material dissolves

34. Solubility tests provide valuable
information for applications that will
require the material to break down,
such as in consumer products, or
fertilizer and soil amendment
applications.

35. Solubility tests provide valuable
information for applications that will
require the material to break down,
such as in consumer products, or
fertilizer and soil amendment
applications.
Solubility tests are also beneficial when
determining the effectiveness of a
coating agent on agglomerates.

36. Sieve Analysis
Sieve analysis is the measure of particle size
distribution. Various sieves are available –
each a metal frame with different
standardized mesh sizes, used to gauge the
size of particles.

37. Flowability
Flowability measures how pellets flow
as a unit, and is measured simply by
positioning a chute at different angles
and observing how the material moves
from one point to the next.

38. Flowability
Flowability measures how pellets flow
as a unit, and is measured simply by
positioning a chute at different angles
and observing how the material moves
from one point to the next.
Flowability is especially important in
designing material handling equipment
that will effectively transport material
around a processing facility.

39. Moisture Content
A target moisture range, or even an
exact percentage is often sought after
when agglomerating a material. Lab
technicians use a moisture analyzer to
measure the amount of free moisture in
a material.

40. Temperature
Temperature is also commonly recorded
during feasibility trials, particularly when a
material must not reach a certain
temperature.

41. Conclusion
Testing in the FEECO Innovation Center
provides valuable process and material data.
These particle characteristic tests help in the
sizing and design of equipment, and also
ensure that the customer gets exactly what
they’re looking for.

42. has been a leader in the agglomeration industry
since the 1950s, helping customers solve material
problems through process & product
development, feasibility testing, and high-quality,
custom agglomeration equipment.
FEECO

43. Want to learn more?
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Agglomeration Handbook
Agglomeration Handbook
Intro to Agglomeration
Processing Techniques
Considerations in Agglomeration
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