Study of the influence of particle size distribution on the agglomeration efficiency
The CRM Group, as a centre of excellence and research and development open to the world, we work on innovative projects with various sectors internationally.
We rely on our state-of-the-art equipment and the diversity of our 270 talents from more than 15 different nationalities to deliver products, processes and solutions to our customers and partners.
In the metallurgical sector, the recycling of co-products (dust, sludge...) requires a densification operation (mainly by means of a briquetting or agglomeration operation) before being introduced into melting or smelting furnaces.
The densification of fine materials:
- make them easier to be stored, handled and transported;
- maximize their recovery rates;
- minimize the environmental impacts associated with their potential dispersion into the atmosphere.
The Recycling Processes Team aims to recycle some local flows of iron, silicon, carbon or some other high value metals to foundry processes. For powdered materials, binders are required to maintain the shape of the agglomerates. The mechanical strength of the agglomerates is often ensured by the addition of an organic or mineral binder. One of the conclusion that emerges from our studies/experiences and our review of the literature is the importance of the particle size distribution profile of the powder. The close packing of the material is strongly influenced by the size and shapes of the particles. Yet, this parameter is poorly mastered and often imposed by the material itself.
The study will aim to generate powder with controlled particle size distributions from different reference products; to study the agglomeration parameters according to different technologies and to analyse the collected information in order to identify general guidelines for good practise.
CRM Group would like to offer an applied internship/master thesis topic on this subject within the team of "Recycling Processes".
The internship duration will be a maximum of 6 months. Some disbursement is possible but will depend on the student’s situation.
Objectives
The student will be in charge of the following tasks:
- Familiarise of the research subject and literature overview;
- Particle side distribution measurement, and sieving of some referred powders, and production of controlled particles size distribution samples;
- Production of agglomerates (pellets/briquettes) according to different recipes and technologies;
- Characterization of the agglomerates to evaluate the effects of different parameters on their mechanical strength;
- Compilation of observations, analyses and good practices
Please send your CV and covering letter by e-mail to job@crmgroup.be