Analysis of the multidimensional behavior of granulation

Particle aggregation in the process of granulation is still a relatively poorly understood phenomena. While particle porosity, pore saturation, and moisture fraction each influence particle growth behavior, many traditional coalescence kernels are only size dependent. This work investigates how different internal particle parameters such as porosity, pore saturation, and moisture fraction affect growth through a series of experiments that highlight the multidimensional nature of the process. Furthermore, this work also analyzes how particle binder composition is influenced by both particle size and induction behavior during the granulation process. The binder composition for a sample is determined using a procedure where the powder and binder in a sample of granules are separated using a non-polar solvent (hexane).