Process for synthesizing a compacted product
A method forming a potassium chloride particle form potassium chloride powder having resistance to moisture absorption and shrinkage. The original feedstock comprises potassium chloride in a size distribution of 30 mesh and 100 mesh as well as a gluten based binder.
1. A method for synthesizing a compacted potassium chloride fertilizer product, comprising:
providing a source of potassium chloride in a size distribution of between 30 mesh and 100 mesh;
pulverizing a mixture of said source of potassium chloride in the presence of a binder, said binder being a gluten containing grain type binder present in an amount between 1% to 2.5% by weight;
feeding the pulverized mixture to a counter rotating roller system and squeezing the mixture at a pressure of between 1000 and 2000 psi to homogenously distribute said binder and said potassium chloride into flakes;
drying said flakes; and
crushing said flakes in a roll or impact crusher to yield a product in a size distribution of between 4 mesh and 12 mesh in a yield of between 30% and 40%.
2. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein a source of water is added to said mixture in an amount from between 0.1% by weight and 0.5% by weight.
3. The method as set forth in claims 1 or 2 , wherein crushing is performed using a roll crusher.
4. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein crushing is performed using an impact crusher.
5. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein crushed flakes are screened with screen means.
6. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein oversized crushed particles are recycled to undergo additional crushing.
7. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of screened material is recycled for compaction.