A GRANULE OF POLYHALITE AND AMMONIUM SULPHATE AND A COMPACTION PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF

Abstract

According to some embodiments, there is provided herein a fertilizer granule comprising Polyhalite and Ammonium Sulphate, wherein said granule comprises a concentration of 40-60% w/w Polyhalite and 60-40% w/w of Ammonium Sulphate.

Claims

1. A fertilizer granule comprising Polyhalite and Ammonium Sulphate, wherein said granule comprises a concentration of 40-60% w/w Polyhalite and 60-40% w/w of Ammonium Sulphate.

2. The granule of claim 1, further comprising a binder.

3. The granule of claim 2, wherein said binder is vinasse.

4. A process for the compaction of Polyhalite with a Ammonium Sulphate comprising: mixing a feed of polyhalite with a feed of said Ammonium salts and binder in a mixer to yield a mixture; compacting in a compactor to yield masses; crushing said masses in a crusher to yield particles; and screening said particles in a screener to yield different particles in three different sizes: oversized particles which undergo a second crushing process and are retuned to said screener for screening, undersized particles which are transferred to said mixer for further mixing, and desired size granular particles which are transferred to a polish screener.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] According to some demonstrative embodiments, there is provided herein a fertilizer granule comprising Polyhalite and Ammonium Sulphate and optionally a binder.

[0021] According to some demonstrative embodiments, the granule may comprise a concentration of 40-60% w/w Polyhalite and 60-40% w/w of Ammonium Sulphate.

[0022] According to some demonstrative embodiments, there is provided herein a process for the compaction of Polyhalite with a Ammonium Sulphate. the process comprising: mixing a feed of polyhalite with a feed of said potassium salt and binder in a mixer to yield a mixture; compacting in a compactor to yield masses; crushing said masses in a crusher to yield particles; and screening said particles in a screener to yield different particles in three different sizes: oversized particles which undergo a second crushing process and are retuned to said screener for screening, undersized particles which are transferred to said mixer for further mixing, and desired size granular particles which are transferred to a polish screener.

[0023] The mixture for the compactor contains 40-60% polyhalite, 60-40% of Ammonium Sulphate and binder.

[0024] The mixing is performed in a blade blender and/or any other suitable devise capable of having a rotation speed that creates a swirling motion for a perfect homogenization and a high blending precision, e.g., a Ploughshare® Mixer.

[0025] The compaction may be a wet compaction.

[0026] The compaction process may include the addition of 1-5% binder.

[0027] The binder may include but not limited: for example, organic or inorganic binders, such as, starch, bentonite, sodium silicate, lignosulfonates, molasses, hydrated lime, bitumen, Portland cement, clay, cellulose gum, sucrose, water, water glass, cements, Fly Ash, Potassium and Sodium Silicate, MgO, CaO, Alganite, Molasses, Vinasses, Geo-polymers, oils and waxes and the like, or a combination thereof.

[0028] The dry compaction process may include the following steps:

[0029] Mixing Potash with Ammonium Sulphate according to the formula. Adding micronutrients.

[0030] Adding organic or inorganic binder between 1-5% preferably between 2-4%, 1-2% Adding water between 0.5-2%, preferably 0.5-1%.

[0031] The mixture may be heated to a temperature between 80-180° C., preferably 160° C.

[0032] Feeding the mixture into a compactor to provide compacted flakes;

[0033] Grinding of the flakes;

[0034] Sieving of the grinded flakes; and

[0035] After sieving there are three types of yield: [0036] 1. Desired sized flakes—between 14-33 mm thickness, S.G. between 1.9 to 2.4 g/cm.sup.3. According to some embodiments, the desired size of the flakes (also referred to herein as “particles” or “granules”) is between 1-6 mm, most preferably between 2-4 mm. [0037] 2. Oversized (OS) flakes—are returned to the grinding stage, e.g., between 4-20% w/w of the total resulting flakes. [0038] 3. Undersized (US) flakes—are recycled to the mixture for compaction, e.g., between 10 to 80% w/w of the total resulting flakes.

[0039] According to some embodiments, in the dry process, optionally a binder may be added in a concentration of between 0.01-7% w/w, preferably between 1-5% w/w, most preferably between 2-4% w/w.

[0040] The final product may submit to post-treatment. Oil may be added to the resulting granules, e.g., to improve the rheology of the product and diminish dust formation. Polishing the granules or Coating. The resulting flakes/granules may be glazed and further coated with a suitable coating.

[0041] For example, the coatings may include biodegradable coatings, sustained release coatings, controlled release coatings, oily coatings, wax coatings.

[0042] The dry compaction process may include the following steps: [0043] 1. Mixing materials—Polyhalite, ammonium in 200 lit mixer [0044] 2. Adding binder and mixing [0045] 3. Adding water and mixing [0046] 4. Compacting—Diameter 600 mm, width 145 mm. working force 90KN/cm. roll velocity 6 rpm. [0047] 5. Crushing using hammer mill [0048] 6. Screening [0049] 7. Drying the granule between 2-4 mm [0050] 8. Recycling-80% [0051] 9. Analysis. All analyses conducted according to the standard procedure

Example 1

[0052] 40% polyhalite+60% ammonium sulphate+0.8% water

[0053] Abrasion in—12 mesh 17%, 21% after 24 hours

[0054] Eco dust 1.6%, 1.3% after 24 hours

[0055] Strength of granule immediately after production 2.3 Kg granule

[0056] Strength of granule after 24 hours 2.0 Kg granule

[0057] Strength of granule after 1 month 3.2 Kg granule

Example 2

[0058] 38% polyhalite+60% ammonium sulphate+2% vinasse

[0059] Abrasion in—12 mesh 17%, 15% after 24 hours

[0060] Eco dust 1.1%, 1% after 24 hours

[0061] Strength of granule immediately after production 1.5 Kg granule

[0062] Strength of granule after 24 hours 1.6 Kg/granule

[0063] Strength of granule after 1 month 1.7 Kg granule