The key difference between aggregation and agglomeration is that the aggregation forms clumps having strong chemical forces between particles whereas the agglomeration forms clumps having weak physical interactions between particles.
Though the terms aggregation and agglomeration sound similar, they are two different terms that we use mainly in surface chemistry and polymer chemistry. However, most of the times people use these terms interchangeably since both processes produce end products with nearly similar appearance.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Aggregation
3. What is Agglomeration
4. Side by Side Comparison – Aggregation vs Agglomeration in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is Aggregation?
Aggregation is the process of formation of clusters of particles via gathering small particles by forming strong chemical bonds between the particles. The end product of this process is an “aggregate”. Usually, the aggregates are very dense clusters of particles since there are strong bonds between the particles. Therefore, these clusters of particles are small comparatively.
What is Agglomeration?
Agglomeration is the process of formation of clusters of particles via gathering small particles by forming weak physical interactions with each other. The end product of this process is an “agglomerate”.
Figure 01: Aggregation vs Agglomeration
Usually, the agglomerates are less dense particle clusters. They have a loosened structure. Moreover, these are large comparatively.
What is the Difference Between Aggregation and Agglomeration?
Aggregation is the process of formation of clusters of particles via gathering small particles by forming strong chemical bonds between the particles. On the other hand, agglomeration is the process of formation of clusters of particles via gathering small particles by forming weak physical interactions with each other. Therefore, the two processes differ from each other according to the bonding between the particles. Moreover, it determines the density and the size of the clusters of particles as well. For example, the density of an aggregate is higher than that of an agglomerate because the particles of aggregate are close to each other due to the strong bonding. In addition to that, the aggregates are smaller than the agglomerates due to the same reason.
The below infographic presents more details on the difference between aggregation and agglomeration in tabular form.
Summary – Aggregation vsAgglomeration
Aggregation and agglomeration are very closely related terms that are different from each other according to the process of formation of the clusters of particles. Therefore, the key difference between aggregation and agglomeration is that the aggregation forms clusters of particles having strong chemical forces between particles whereas the agglomeration forms clusters of particles having weak physical interactions between particles.
Reference:
1. Chemical Engineering. “Agglomeration Processes: Facts at Your Fingertips – Chemical Engineering | Page 1.” Chemical Engineering How to Handle Hydrogen In Process Plants Comments, Chemical Engineering, 27 Sept. 2016. Available here