Abstract: A quickly dissolving carrier granule made up of wood fibers, mineral filler, and starch-based or dextrin-based adhesive binder. The wood fibers in these granules are preferably wood fibers ranging from about 10 microns to about 2 mm in length. Typically, at least about 35 weight- % of the fibers are retained on a 50-Mesh U.S. Sieve Series screen. The wood fibers in this invention are derived from sources that are substantially free of resins such as urea-formaldehyde resin and of diphenylmethane diisocyanate resin. Typical binders are soluble dextrin binders or a viscous corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, tapioca starch, potato starch, or sago starch binders. The granules have a Resistance to Attrition of at least 90%. Also disclosed is a method of making such granules.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing carrier granules. The method forms a mixture comprising fibers, mineral filler, and binder. The mixture contains 32-48 weight-% wood fibers having a bulk density of less than 20 pounds per cubic foot, at least 35 weight-% of which fibers are retained on a 50-Mesh U.S. Sieve Series screen. The fibers have a moisture content of less than 15 weight-%. The mixture also contains 52-65 weight-% mineral filler having a moisture content of less than 12 weight-%. In addition, the mixture contains 3-7 weight-% binder. The mixture is agglomerated by conditioning and agglomerating it in a pin mixer to form small particles followed by agglomerating it in a disc or pan pelletizer to form substantially spherical granules. The method then dries the granules to a moisture content of less than about 5 weight-%, and screens the granules to select granules that pass through a 10-Mesh U.S. Sieve Series screen but are retained on a 40-Mesh U.S. Sieve Series screen.

Abstract: A quickly dissolving carrier granule made up of wood fibers, mineral filler, and starch-based or dextrin-based adhesive binder. The wood fibers in these granules are preferably wood fibers ranging from about 10 microns to about 2 mm in length. Typically, at least about 35 weight-% of the fibers are retained on a 50-Mesh U.S. Sieve Series screen. The wood fibers in this invention are derived from sources that are substantially free of resins such as urea-formaldehyde resin and of diphenylmethane diisocyanate resin. Typical binders are soluble dextrin binders or a viscous corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, tapioca starch, potato starch, or sago starch binders. The granules have a Resistance to Attrition of at least 90%. Also disclosed is a method of making such granules.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing carrier granules. The method forms a mixture comprising fibers, mineral filler, and binder. The mixture contains 32-48 weight-% wood fibers having a bulk density of less than 20 pounds per cubic foot, at least 35 weight-% of which fibers are retained on a 50-Mesh U.S. Sieve Series screen. The fibers have a moisture content of less than 15 weight-%. The mixture also contains 52-65 weight-% mineral filler having a moisture content of less than 12 weight-%. In addition, the mixture contains 3-7 weight-% binder. The mixture is agglomerated by conditioning and agglomerating it in a pin mixer to form small particles followed by agglomerating it in a disc or pan pelletizer to form substantially spherical granules. The method then dries the granules to a moisture content of less than about 5 weight-%, and screens the granules to select granules that pass through a 10-Mesh U.S. Pat. No. Sieve Series screen but are retained on a 40-Mesh U.S. Pat. No. Sieve Series screen.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing carrier granules. The method forms a mixture comprising fibers, mineral filler, and binder. The mixture contains 32-45 weight-% cellulose fibers having a bulk density of less than 20 pounds per cubic foot, at least 35 weight-% of which fibers are retained on a 50-Mesh U.S. Sieve Series screen. The fibers have a moisture content of less than 15 weight-%. The mixture also contains 53-65 weight-% mineral filler having a moisture content of less than 12 weight-% and a bulk density of less than 65 pounds per cubic foot. In addition, the mixture contains 3-7 weight-% binder. The mixture is agglomerated by conditioning and agglomerating it in a pin mixer to form small particles followed by agglomerating it in a disc or pan pelletizer to form substantially spherical granules. The method then dries the granules to a moisture content of less than about 5 weight-%, and screens the granules to select granules that pass through a 10-Mesh U.S. Sieve Series screen but are retained on a 40-Mesh U.S.

Abstract: A process for multi-layer coating of bulk granulated materiel, the process comprising the steps of obtaining a bulk of granulated materiel at a damp state, premixing the granulated materiel with a first coating agent provided at powdered form and then introducing the premixed material into an inlet-end of a spiral winding path within a rotating drum. The dim is rotated at a speed so as to advance the material along the winding path towards an outlet-end thereof, whilst at least a second coating agent is introduced into the drum. Finally, the coated material is dried.