Agglomerato

Agglomerato is a term used in various fields to describe a collection of individual particles that have been bound together to form larger, more cohesive masses. This process, known as agglomeration, can occur naturally or be induced through specific industrial methods. The resulting agglomerates are often more manageable, denser, and have altered physical properties compared to their constituent particles.

In geology, agglomerate refers to a type of volcanic rock composed of angular rock fragments, some of which are larger than two millimeters in diameter, embedded in a finer matrix. These fragments are often ejected during explosive volcanic eruptions. The size and composition of the fragments can vary widely, and the matrix may be ash or lapilli.

In industry, agglomeration is a crucial process for many bulk materials. For example, in mining and metallurgy, fine mineral powders are often agglomerated into pellets or briquettes to facilitate handling, transportation, and subsequent processing, such as smelting. This improves flowability, reduces dust generation, and enhances thermal efficiency in furnaces. Similarly, in the pharmaceutical industry, active ingredients are often agglomerated into granules to improve their compressibility for tablet manufacturing and to control dissolution rates. The methods used for industrial agglomeration include wet granulation, dry granulation, extrusion, and compaction.