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Spanish company seeks innovative dust agglomeration technology for emission-free industrial processes for underground mining applications (major Chilean client’s project).

Summary

Profile Type
  • Technology request
POD Reference
TRES20250530007
Term of Validity
30 May 2025 - 30 May 2026
Company's Country
  • Spain
Type of partnership
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance
Targeted Countries
  • All countries
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General information

Short Summary
An industrial company seeks innovative technologies to agglomerate fine mineral dust (<75 µm) into stable pellets (>10mm) without water, adhesives, or thermal processes.
The solution must prevent emissions during transport, operate in confined spaces (less than 3m wide and 3m high), starting at 50 kg/h and scaling to 2t/h.
Partners with expertise in material science or industrial agglomeration processes are sought for R&D collaboration.
Full Description
A company in the mining sector requires a novel agglomeration method to transform fine dust particles (density: 2.68 t/m³) into durable pellets for safe transportation and reprocessing. Current water-based methods cause operational issues, while alternative approaches prove economically unviable.


KEY REQUIREMENTS:

Process constraints:
• Moisture content ≤7% in final pellets.
• Pellet diameter ≥10mm with UCS strength ≥100 Pa.
• Non-elastic behavior to prevent re-emission during handling.

Implementation needs:
• Compact system (max. 3m width/height) for underground installation.
• Prototype capacity: 50–100 kg/h, scalable to 2t/h.
• Compatibility with existing conveyor systems.

Target outcomes:
• Eliminate dust emissions during transport.
• Enable reintegration of mineral-rich dust into production.
• Reduce operational costs vs. traditional methods.

Technical challenges:
• Achieving cohesion in ultra-fine particles without binders.
• Ensuring mechanical stability under variable humidity/temperature.
• Minimizing energy consumption in confined environments.

Seeking:
• Technologies in mechanical compression, electrostatic bonding, or bio-based agglomeration.
• Partners for pilot testing (industrial site available).
Advantages and Innovations
• Zero-emission process: Aligns with sustainability goals and circular economy principles.
• Resource recovery: Converts waste dust into reusable material, improving mineral yield.
• Cost efficiency: Reduces disposal expenses and potential revenue from recycled pellets.
• Regulatory compliance: Meets stringent environmental standards for mining operations.
• Modular design: Enables deployment in space-constrained underground facilities.
Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
Proven experience in dust agglomeration or particle technology, abbility to scale lab-proven methods to industrial throughput, and knowledge of mineral dust properties (hygroscopicity, reactivity).
Stage of Development
  • Already on the market
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
  • Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
  • Goal 13: Climate Action
  • Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
IPR status
  • Secret know-how

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
Experts in non-thermal agglomeration or industrial mineral processing who can provide the desired technology.
Type and Size of Partner
  • R&D Institution
  • SME 11-49
  • Big company
  • SME 50 - 249
  • University
  • SME <=10
  • Other
Type of partnership
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance

Dissemination

Technology keywords
  • 02007020 - Biobased materials
  • 010002001 - Air Pollution/Treatment
  • 04002003 - Compression and liquefaction of gases
  • 03008 - Mining Technologies
  • 10001004 - Hazardous Materials
Market keywords
  • 09006 - Mining (non-energy related)
  • 06005001 - Coal mining
  • 08003003 - Mining machinery
  • 08004001 - Air filters and air purification and monitoring equipment
Targeted countries
  • All countries