In compaction processes, the primary goal is to increase the bulk density of powders and solids. In particular, small, fine particles are connected by compression to larger particles. It may also be the goal that high air fractions should be removed from the bulk materials, so that lower volumes can be generated at the end. Pure compaction processes are used primarily in the chemical industry.

The main regions of the compaction zone in roller compactionFigure 1: The main regions of the compaction zone in roller compaction

Depending on the nature of the starting material of the compaction is still followed by a crushing or milling process. Thereby, the compacted, but partly coarse agglomerates (flakes, ribbons, needles) are to be divided into smaller particles with a certain particle size distribution (PSD).Compacting with roller presses is a highly efficient way of compacting bulk materials. The starting material is compacted in the roller compaction via two counter-rotating rollers. A special case of compacting is briquetting. Here, the roller surfaces are provided with pockets, so that the briquettes are formed during pressing.

Depending on the plastic deformability of the starting material, endless flakes, but also fine needle agglomerates, are produced by pressing. Needle agglomerates are e.g. generated during the compaction of silicates.

The slugs are comminuted in the following crushing process granules desired shape. This results in bulk materials with higher densities (lower volume), better flow and dosing properties and certain particle size distributions. Alexanderwerk roller compactors are used in compacting (and granulation) processes in the following applications:

  • Compaction & Granulation of pharmaceutical materials
  • Compaction & Granulation of battery batterie mass
  • Compaction & Granulation of catalysts
  • Compaction & Granulation of color pigments
  • Compaction & Granulation of enzymes
  • Compaction & Granulation of natural / biological bulk materials
  • Compaction & Granulation of food
  • Compaction & Granulation of coffee powder
  • Compaction & Granulation of minerals
  • Compaction & Granulation of ores
  • Compaction & Granulation of lignite
  • Compaction & Granulation of various salts
  • Compaction & Granulation of fertilizers
  • Compaction & Granulation of brown coal
  • Compaction & Granulation of metal and metal oxide powders
  • Compaction & Granulation of used nuclear fuel elements (U3O8)
  • Compaction & Granulation for the enrichment of nuclear fuel elements (UF2)
  • Compaction & Granulation of airbag powders
  • and many, many more …