Abstract: A process for producing desired sized product granules characterized by dispensing on a flat moving horizontal bed product particulates from a heat exchange assembly, then mixing the product particulates with seed material by a mixing means for a period of time to produce the desired sized product granules.

Abstract: An improved continuous process for the production of fertilizers, wherein the reactions, mixing, sizing, and moisture removal required to produce a resultant product are carried out on a simple, flat surface that moves horizontally, and wherein, in the reactor-mixing zone of said surface, the surface movement, the shearing action of moving blades, the moving spargers for distributing reactants and reaction products, the unusually wide dispersion of the reactants and reaction products, and the unusually long retention time and extensive aeration of the final reaction products and reacted product have the useful benefits of low consumption of energy, close product size control, elimination of the need for recycling produced materials as a means of wetness control in the reactor-mixing zone, and of achieving relatively simple, low cost processing.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for simultaneous feedstock material granulation and classification are provided which utilize applied heat to cause feedstock material to agglomerate, forming a uniformly sized granular product. The feedstock is fed onto a tilted rotating granulator-classifier, forming a moving bed of feedstock. Hot streams of combustion products or other heated gases are applied to a portion of the granulator-classifier and heat is thus percolated through the moving bed of feedstock. The feedstock is heated to a point wherein it begins to soften, or sinter. As the heated particles cascade downward over the granulator-classifier, the smaller particles adhere to the larger particles forming hardened, uniform granules which spill out of the granulator-classifier when they reach a desired size. The granulator-classifier may be provided with annular tiers which cause an increased efficiency in the uniform sizing of the granules as well as the agglomeration process.