| abstract |
A stepwise method of preparing homogeneous mineral granules for agriculture by coreaction of commodity acids and bases which have properties to chemically form a transient fluid adhesive which will harden to form a strong granule binding cement. Water may be added to improve the effectiveness of the adhesive. The transient fluid adhesive is comminuted by mechanically shearing, then particulate mineral solids are admixed mechanically to form a mass of plastic globules which is rolled to form spheroid granules and the fluid adhesive hardens to form the hardened binding cement. The method provides substantially dust-free and attrition resistant animal feed supplement, and plant food fertilizer and micronutrient granules. The commodity acids and bases include aqueous and anhydrous mineral and alkyl carboxylic acids and alkali and alkaline earth bases. The mechanical means of mixing, comminuting, and formation of closely sized plastic globules is accomplished by the shear forces between two surfaces running in opposite directions at high speeds close to each other. |