Patent ID: 6022386
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: B01J,C01C,C06B

Abstract:
A process for producing porous granules of ammonium nitrate, comprising the steps of:a) introducing primers of solid ammonium nitrate into a fluid bed of a granulator having a rotary drum,b) spraying on the primers within the fluid bed a solution of ammonium nitrate having a concentration of ammonium nitrate between 94 and 98% and a temperature of between 135 and 170.degree. C. so as to form a plurality of layers of the solution on the primers and reducing a water content of the solution forming each layer by combined action of heat of crystallization of the nitrate and by passing an air stream through the fluid bed to thereby form pores in each layer and obtaining a porous granular product of ammonium nitrate having a water content of between 0.5 to 1.5% and a temperature of between 35 to 55.degree. C.;c) conveying the porous granular product from the granulator into a dryer and drying the granular product so as to further reduce the water content of the granular product;d) thereafter cooling the porous granular product issuing from the dryer; ande) wherein during the steps of granulating, drying and cooling, upper and lower transition temperatures of the ammonium nitrate of approximately 84.degree. C. and 32.degree. C., respectively, are passed through only once.