The Effect of Granulation Time of the Pan Granulation on the Characteristics of the Aggregates Containing Dunkirk Sediments

The wet granulation process presents complex interactions between equipment variables as well as material properties making the outcome of a granulation process hard to predict. A frequently encountered difficulty is the process control for optimal condition of the granulation. This requirement depends largely on the operator and the desired properties of the final product. In this study, before the fabrication of aggregates by the pan granulation by associating the sediments with a specific hydraulic binder, the ingredients were characterised. Then, the evolution of the aggregate size with the granulation time has been explored. Finally, the physical and mechanical properties of artificial aggregates formulated by the pan granulation were discussed. The results of this study show firstly, that the use of marine sediments dredged from Dunkirk harbour in France in the production of artificial aggregates is a flexible and positive approach. Secondly, that the granulation time is an important parameter that controls the granulation by wet granulation plate.