Pre-conditioning is a method of preparing material for optimal agglomeration. Pre-conditioning offers many benefits, both to the end product, and the process itself. This presentation looks at the benefits pre-conditioning has to offer, as well as the various equipment choices available.

1. Pre-Conditioning
Experts in process design and material
processing for over 60 years.
The Benefits of
Your Material

2. Pre-Conditioning, or preparing a material for
agglomeration, is an important factor in the
success of many agglomeration processes,
offering a variety of benefits.

3. Benefits of
Pre-Conditioning

4. Improved Processing
Pre-conditioning a material provides a
feedstock that is optimally prepared for
agglomeration, ultimately streamlining
subsequent steps.

5. Improved Processing
Pre-conditioning a material provides a
feedstock that is optimally prepared for
agglomeration, ultimately streamlining
subsequent steps.
Having a feedstock that is optimally
prepared can provide consistency to a
process, even increasing production
when compared to a material that has
not been conditioned.

6. A More Refined End Product
Pre-conditioning also provides for a
better end product. Pre-conditioning
enhances the ability to control size,
creating a more uniform product, and
in some cases, reducing recycle.

7. Pre-Conditioning
Equipment

8. A variety of equipment can be used to
pre-condition material for the
agglomeration process. The most common
pre-conditioning equipment includes:

9. A variety of equipment can be used to
pre-condition material for the
agglomeration process. The most common
pre-conditioning equipment includes:
• Rotary Dryers

10. A variety of equipment can be used to
pre-condition material for the
agglomeration process. The most common
pre-conditioning equipment includes:
• Rotary Dryers
• Pin Mixers

11. A variety of equipment can be used to
pre-condition material for the
agglomeration process. The most common
pre-conditioning equipment includes:
• Rotary Dryers
• Pin Mixers
• Paddle Mixers

12. Rotary Dryers
When looking to agglomerate a
material, it is imperative that the
material fall within a set moisture range
in order to agglomerate effectively.
Materials at or near the critical moisture
point will require drying in order to
accept more moisture (in the form of
binder) without going over the range
that will allow for effective
agglomeration.

13. FEECO Rotary Dryer
Rotary dryers effectively dry material by
tumbling it in a drum with a drying air. Flights
pick up the material, dropping it through the
drying air to maximize heat transfer, effectively
drying the material to the desired range of
moisture.

14. Paddle Mixers
Paddle mixers are also an effective
method in pre-conditioning a material
for agglomeration. Paddle mixers use a
kneading motion to effectively mix
materials. Their pre-conditioning
capabilities include wetting, standard
mixing, granulating, and back mixing
dried material (recycle) into the
process.

15. FEECO Paddle Mixer

16. Pin Mixers
Pin mixers offer similar capabilities to
paddle mixers, including standard
mixing, granulating, and back mixing
dried material into the process. Pin
mixers utilize a high speed spinning
action to densify material.

17. FEECO Pin Mixer

18. Conclusion
No matter what the method, pre-conditioning
a material offers a variety of benefits.

19. Conclusion
No matter what the method, pre-conditioning
a material offers a variety of benefits.
Several methods are available for pre-
conditioning, including using a drying step, or
processing the material in a pin or paddle
mixer.

20. Feasibility tests, such as those conducted in
the FEECO Innovation Center can help in
determining the most effective method of
pre-conditioning for a given process and
material.

21. 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

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