Disc Pelletizers

Disc Pelletizers

Disc Pelletizers are adjustable pan device utilized in micro-pelletizing, pelletizing and conditioning applications in which a shallow pan and a smaller retained burden are desired. It can be used to pelletize materials such as taconites, copper, nickel, lead and zinc concentrates. Other applications include pelletizing of reclaimed sludge, moist filter cakes, coal, flue dusts, limestone, fertilizers and ores.

Common Construction

The Disc Pelletizer consists of a pan, drive and plows, which are supported on a heavy structural frame and base. The pan is driven by an 1800 rpm motor through a vari-drive belt and heavy-duty gear reducer. It is mounted on the output shaft of the reducer for disc sizes from three feet to eight feet in diameter.

Disc pelletizers 10 feet in diameter and larger are equipped with constant speed cog-belt drives and are driven through motor, reducer, pinion and ring gear mounted behind the pan. Changes in pan rotational speed can be made through the proper selection of sheaves and belts.

The pan angle is adjustable within a range of 20 degrees to suit various pelletizing conditions and applications. Pan speeds of disc pelletizers three feet to eight feet in diameter are variable by a 3:1 ratio.

Operation

Fine raw material is continually added to the pan and wetted by a liquid binder spray. The disc’s rotation causes the wetted fines to form small, seed-type particles (nucleation). The seed particles “snowball” by coalescence into larger particles until they discharge from the pan. While pellets can be formed in batches, almost all tonnage pelletizing is accomplished through continuous processes using a comparatively simply-designed disc pelletizer.