APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING NITRATE GRANULES

摘要

This invention relates to an apparatus (10) for producing nitrate granules. The apparatus (10) includes a first fluidised bed (12) which is supplied wit h air (18) that has been conditioned to a relative humidity of less than 30% a t 40(C and heated to a temperature of 40(C to 100(C. One or more spray nozzles (26) are provided for spraying a nitrate melt into the first fluidised bed (12) to form nitrate granules. The apparatus (10) also includes a second fluidised bed (14) which is in direct communication with the first fluidised bed (12). Nitrate granules formed in the first fluidised bed (12) flow directly to the second fluidised bed (14) where they are cooled to a temperature of less than 60(C. The nitrate granules produced by the apparatu s (10) and process of the invention are spherical in shape, hard and dry and d o not break down easily during handling. A main advantage of the apparatus (10 ) according to the invention is that it is compact, capable of very high produ ct rates, and can be operated by one operator.