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Granulation of Magnesium Oxide (MgO) Powder: Challenges, Methods and Solutions PerMix
Magnesium oxide (MgO) powder is widely used in various industries, from construction materials and refractories to pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and specialty chemicals. However, its extremely fine and reactive nature creates challenges in processing, storage, and performance. Granulating MgO powder into stable, free-flowing particles of 180–500 μm is often essential to improving process efficiency and final product quality.
Why is it worth granulating MgO powder?
Raw MgO powder has several limitations in its natural, fine state:
• Poor flowability: Fine MgO tends to clump or dust during transportation and feeding.
• Uneven dosing: Dosing ultra-fine powders leads to inaccurate dosing.
• Dust and safety issues: Airborne MgO dust poses an environmental and health hazard.
• Non-uniform design can perform differently: Many applications, from refractory linings to fertilizers, require uniform granules rather than fine ones.
Thanks to the granulation of MgO powder, producers gain:
• Better processing and easier transport
• Less dust
• Controlled particle size distribution (PSD) ensuring consistent reactivity
• Better performance in thickening, mixing or end-use applications
Dry and wet granulation of MgO
Traditional granulation often relies on binders or liquids, but the chemical reactivity of MgO makes this problematic. Water or aqueous binders can cause premature hydration and compromise product stability.
Therefore, dry granulation methods are increasingly preferred. Instead of liquids, these techniques use mechanical compaction, shear, or agglomeration forces to bind MgO particles into granules. This preserves the purity of the MgO and prevents undesirable side reactions. Key applications of granulated MgO
Granulated MgO is essential in:
• Refractory Materials and Ceramics: Provides uniformity and stability in high temperature linings.
• Building materials: Used in boards, cements and composites for better flow and dosing.
• Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical preparations: As an excipient or mineral supplement where particle size and consistency are critical.
• Agriculture and fertilizers: Granular MgO provides slow release, better spreading and less dust.
• Environmental and specialty chemicals: In exhaust gas treatment, wastewater neutralization and other reactive processes.
PerMix granulators for MgO powder
PerMix specializes in dry and high-shear granulation technology for processing delicate powders such as MgO. Our solutions:
• No liquid binder required – ideal for maintaining MgO purity and preventing hydration.
• Precise control of particle size – obtaining granules of 180–500 μm.
• Scalable performance – single or parallel granulators can achieve production capacity of 800 kg/h and more.
• Custom Design – Options include explosion-proof design (ATEX), wear-resistant materials, temperature control shields and integrated screening systems.
• Low maintenance costs and easy cleaning – crucial for industries with frequent product changes.
Why choose PerMix?
With decades of innovation in mixing and granulation, PerMix delivers:
• Flexible design adapted to process requirements
• Global production with competitive lead times and prices
• Full process support, from research and development to large-scale production
• Unrivaled warranty and service in the industry