MANUFACTURE OF STRONG, LIGHTWEIGHT CARRIER GRANULES

摘要

Method for manufacturing carrier granules with bulk density less than 40 lbs/ft3 and Resistance to Attrition of at least 95% from mixtures comprising fibers, mineral filler, and binder. The cellulose fibers have bulk density less than 20 lbs/ft3 and moisture content less than 15 weight-%. At least 35 weight-% of the fibers are retained on a 50-Mesh U.S. Sieve Series screen. The mineral filler has moisture content of less than 12 weight-% and bulk density of less than 65 lbs/ft3. The mixture is agglomerated by conditioning and agglomerating it in a pin mixer to form small particles followed by agglomerating it in a disc or pan pelletizer to form substantially spherical granules, which are then dried to a moisture content of less than about 5 weight-% and screened to select granules that pass through a 10-Mesh U.S. Sieve Series screen but are retained on a 40-Mesh U.S. Sieve Series screen.