United States Patent to 11 4,009,245

Hudson et al. w 45 Feb. 22, 1977

(54) PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF 3,226,184 12/1965 Brownlie ........................... 71f43 X
MONOAMMONUM PHOSPHATE 3,415,638 12/1968 Hemsley et al. ................. 711640 B
3,419,378 12/1968 Kearns ................................... 7/34
(75) Inventors: John W. Hudson; Robert A. 3,539,327 1 1/1970 Hudson .................. ... 7134
Pendergrast, both of Atlanta, Ga. 3,544,298 12/1970 Fitz-William, Jr. ......... ... 71/34
73) Assignee: United States Steel Corporation, 3,563,723 2/1971 Sackett, Sr. et al. ....... ... 7 1/34
Pittsburgh, Pa. 3,734,708 5? 1973 Burns .................................... 7 1/34
22) Filed: Feb. 28, 1975 Primary Examiner-Charles N. Hart
21 Appl. No.: 554,298 Assistant Examiner-Ferris H. Lander
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-William L. Krayer
52 U.S. C. .............................. 423/313; 23/259.1;
71/34; 71143; 7/64 DB 57 ABSTRACT
51 int. Cl.................... C05B 19/00; C01B 25/28 A novel process for making monoammonium phos
(58) Field of Search ................ 71/1, 34, 43, 64 DB; phate includes a pre-neutralizing step, a pipeline reac
423/275, 305,310,313, 396; 252/182; tor step, and the projection of a stream of reactants
23/259.1
from the pipeline reactor onto a moving belt, to result
56) References Cited in a foamed, dry friable product.
UNITED STATES PATENTS
2,902,342 9/1959 Kerley, Jr............ 71.f43 X 16 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures
U.S. Patent Feb. 22, 1977 Sheet 1 of 2 4,009,245

s
U.S. Patent Feb. 22, 1977 Sheet 2 of 2 4,009,245
 1.
4,009,245 2
sprayed into an ammonia atmosphere. The heat of
PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF reaction is sufficient to evaporate the water from the
MONOAMMONUM PHOSPHATE ammonium phosphate particles, provided an acid of
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION sufficient strength is used. Heat deficiencies in certain
5 phosphoric acids used for this process are made up by
Monoammonium phosphate, hereafter called MAP, adding sulfuric acid; however, the product then con
is commonly made buy neutralizing orthophosphoric tains a mixture of ammonium phosphate and ammo
acid (HPO) with ammonia (NH) at an N/P mole nium sulfate. The product from this process is such a
ratio of 1.0, as follows: fine powder that it is impractical to use in normal fertil
10 izer granulation plants.
NH+ HPO - NHHPO (A H) = -32 kcal/mol. The reader may also be interested in U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,053,622, 3,902,342, 3,310,371, 3,502,441,
This reaction is generally carried out in the presence of 3,539,327, 2,890,934, 3,238,021, 3,019,099,
sufficient water to make a mobile fluid of the reaction 3, 130,033, 3,179,496, 3,375,063, 3,730,700, and Brit
medium. Since more heat is evolved than necessary to 15 ish Pat. No. 1,081,296.
raise the resultant mixture to its boiling point, excess
heat is utilized to drive off some of the water. Where SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
concentrated acid feedstock is used, water must be The present invention was developed to fill the need
added if formation of polyphosphates if to be avoided. for a more efficient method of manufacture of non
The more important methods of making MAP are 20 granular ammonium phosphate, to provide a more
summarized below, but not necessarily in order of com reactive product, and to allow the use of a wide variety
mercial significance. Pertinent patents are listed in of commerical phosphoric acids, in particular so-called
Table IV. sludge acids containing up to 30% solids. The process
The slurry process developed by Achorn et al. U.S. consists of three distinct operations.
Pat. No. 3, 153,574, has been in commercial use for 25 It will be discussed in two parts - first, a variation in
more than fifteen years. Crude MAP by this process is which an initial reaction involves an excess of phospho
commonly known as 11-48-0 in the fertilizer industry rus over the 1:1 mole ratio of the orthophosphates, and
and is generally made from wet-process merchant second a variation having an excess of nitrogen in the
grade acid (54% PO) and ammonia. The limited solu initial reaction, thus requiring a later introduction of
bility of MAP requires a relatively large percentage of 30 additional phosphorus. This later introduction of addi
water to keep the viscosity of the resulting slurry low. tional phosphorus is accomplished by the injection of
The hot slurry is mixed in a drum granulator with a high phosphoric acid into a chamber containing the initial
rate of recycle of previously granulated MAP. Recycle reactants and having an orifice directed through the
rates of 20:1 or more are not exceptional for this mate atmosphere toward a moving belt. In the first variation
rial but are usually 5:1 at the lowest. The large quantity 35 the 1:1 or other desired ratio of N/P is achieved by the
of water necessary for granulation requires that the injection of ammonia into the same chamber. The vari
granular MAP be dried in a gas-fired rotary dryer. ation involving an initial excess of phosphorus and
Granulated MAP from this process is too dense, mak requiring the addition of ammonia will be discussed
ing it undesirable for further ammoniation in fertilizer first. -:
processes because of its low reactivity. In recent years, In this variation, phosphoric acid is optionally re
40
several companies have developed proprietary spray acted with part of the ammonia in a pre-neutralizer at
processes to avoid the troublesome granulation pro a 0.2-0.9 N/P mole ratio, preferably 0.6-0.8 N/P. The
cess. The Hemsley et al method, U.S. Pat. No. heat of reaction raises the temperature of the mixture
3,415,638, uses a pressurized neutralizer opening at 30 to boiling, and part of the water of the phosphoric acid
pounds per square inch gauge to neutralize merchant 45 is evaporated. This reaction can be carried out in any
grade phosphoric acid with ammonia to a 1.0 N/P mole conventional neutralizer equipment. However, we pre
ratio in a single stage. The resultant slurry is sprayed fer the special neutralizer reactor described by J. W.
into a void tower and collects as tiny prills at the bot Hudson in U.S. Pat. No. 3,502,441. The pre-neutral
tom of the tower, or optionall (Example IV) is sprayed ized slurry from this reactor is preferably collected in a
onto a moving belt. SO surge vessel. The description of this patent is incorpo
Kearns, U.S. Pat. No. 3,419,378, neutralizes wet rated herein by reference.
process acid with ammonia in a single-stage reactor. Second, the slurry is pumped from the surge vessel to
The mostly liquid reacting mixture emerges instantly a mixing tee, sometimes known as a pipeline reactor. In
from a nozzle and is sprayed into a tower. Excess am this reactor, sufficient ammonia vapor is added to com
monia is required to complete the ammoniation to 1.0 55 plete the reaction to about a 1.0 N/P mole ratio. Steam
N/P mole ratio, and the waste ammonia must be recov is also added along with the ammonia vapor to aid in
ered from the spray tower. preventing solids from caking on the reactor walls.
Scottish Agricultural Industries developed a process Third, the superheated (about 350 F) solution from
called "Phosai', British Pat. No. 951476, to neutralize the tee reactor is directed to impinge upon a conveying
phosphoric acid to a mole ratio of 1.4 N/P in a pre-neu 60 system such as an endless belt placed about 6 to 36
tralizer. The resultant slurry is pumped to a pugmill inches, preferably 12 to 18 inches, from the restricting
where the slurry is acidified to 1.0 N/P ratio with addi orifice at the end of the pipeline reactor. The belt is
tional phosphoric acid. This reaction is carried out in positioned in such a way as to move perpendicularly to
the presence of sufficient recycle to keep the mass of the axis of discharge from the pipeline reactor at a rate
materials in good mechanical condition. The granules 65 of about 100 feet per minute.
are dried in a rotary dryer. When the superheated stream of MAP solution
The Swedish firm of A. B. Forenade Superfosfatfab emerges from the restricting orifice, it expands in a
rik developed a process in which phosphoric acid was circular pattern, 12-15 inches in diameter, and pro
 3
4,009.245 4
duces a foam-like cake on the moving belt. As it moves the storage tank 4 is passed through the vaporizer 5 at
downstream on the belt, it solidifies rapidly, forming a the autogenous pressure of the ammonia storage vessel.
highly porous, easily friable material within about 36 A regulator 6 reduces the gas pressure to 65 pounds per
inches from the point of impact. As the belt turns square inch gauge. After passing through a measuring
around the end roller, the MAP is hard enough to flake by-pass rotameter 7, the ammonia flow is regulated by
off the belt. a manual valve 8 to the pre-neutralizer at a rate propor
Thus, it will be seen that my invention includes a tional to the acid flow to yield a mole ratio of 0.2 to 0.9
method of making ammonium phosphate having a mole N/P. As described in Hudson U.S. Pat. No, 3,502,441
ratio of N:P of about 0.7: 1 to about 1.5:1 comprising the reaction takes place mainly in reaction leg 21 and a
(a) generating a slurry by reacting ammonia with phos 10 slurry collects in pre-neutralizer 3.
phoric acid in a mole ratio of N:P of from about 0.2:1 The N/P ratio is controlled in such a way that the
to 0.9:1 under agitation of the heat of reaction; (b) resulting slurry has a freezing point between 100 and
reacting said slurry with additional ammonia to pro 200 F, preferably 150°-160°F, and also retains a low
duce a reactant mixture having a mole ratio of N:P of enough viscosity to be pumpable.
from about 0.7:1 to about 1.5:1; and (c) passing the 15 Overflow from the pre-neutralizer 3 is discharged
reactant mixture, while still undergoing an exothermic through line 22 to a surge vessel 9 from which it is
reaction, through at least one orifice onto a surface. pumped by pump 15 through line 17 to the pipeline
Typical compositions of feed acids containing solids, reactors 10. There, the slurry in line 17 is mixed with
pre-neutralizer slurries, and products of this variation additional ammonia in line 16, and steam in line 12.
are shown in Table I. Other types of conveying equip 20 The superheated slurry is then discharged through ori
ment, such as rotating drums, discs, etc., with and with fice 13 to impinge on a moving belt 14 at a distance
out cooling, can be used in place of the belt conveyor. from 6 to 36 inches, preferably 12 to 18 inches.
In FIG. 2, the pipeline reactor may be seen to include
Table I
Process Stream Compositions
MAP Product
Feed Acid Pre-neutralizer Slurry PO
Solids POs HO N POs HO N/P N Total HO Soluble HO NIP
Test No. (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (M.R.) (%) (%) (%) (%) (M.R.)
1-A 1500 46.32 19.4 6.34 4847 6.30 66 8.44 4907 46.60 2.22 .87
1-B 1505 45.92. 19.4 5.89 49.03 9.05 6 8.74 49.59 46.8 O .89
-C 7.55 45.44 9.0 6.3 45.66 6.36 .70 8.29 47.60 44.39 53 88
2-A 7.04 44.48 18.2 5.89 46.62 8.59 .64 8.30 47.96 44.63 06 88
2-B 7.84 45.35 18.1 5.33 44.97 8.62 60 7.48 47.43 4507 3.68 80
2-C 724 44.S6 18.2 543 4655 8.99 59 838 47.70 44.6 2.62 89
3-A 8.29 45.21 8.3 5.59 45.94 834 .6 7.78 47.62 44.39 2.20 83
3-B 7.36 44.38 18.2 544, 45.68 83 60 8.06 48.07 44.25 1.77 85
3-C 1816 44.88 190 5.09 42.68 60 8.36 48.45 4447 . 87
4. 25.7 4.24 9.5 4.07 4.3 3.5 50 8.12 43.77 1.98 .94
5 1.0 536 18.1 6.87 52.5 w 66 0.74 53.7 O

The process achieves two unexpected improvements 40 slurry inlet 25, reactant inlet 26, reaction chamber 27
over conventional methods. In contrast to air-spraying and nozzle or outlet orifice 13. Slurry and steam enter
or prilling of an MAP solution in a tower, our process ing through inlet 25 from the pre-neutralizer flows
provides a more efficient utilization of the ammonia turbulently towards orifice 13, is mixed and reacts with
and a better drying performance of the product. The the phosphoric acid or ammonia from reactant inlet 26,
foamed product, due to the sponge-like structure, re 45 and finally exits still reacting, through outlet orifice 13.
tains ammonia gas until it is fully reacted, and simulta The distance between the orifice and the belt is im
neously utilizes a large portion of the heat of reaction portant, since it controls the density of the product as
for the evaporation of water, since heat loss to the may be seen in Table II. Even greater distances form an
surrounding air is less than in a spraying or prilling increasingly denser product. The ammonia efficiency is
operation. In other words, the exposed surface area of 50 also affected by the belt distance - the shorter the
the foamed product is less than that of fine prills, and distance, the better the ammonia utilization.
the amount of air contact is less.
Typical values of improved ammonia efficiency are Table II
equivalent to a 5-25% reduction in ammonia require Effect of Belt Distance
ment when compared to air spraying. The improved 55 - on Product Density
Product Densit
water evaporation is demonstrated by a reduced mois Belt Distance Poured Loosely Packed
ture level in the product, usually about .2 percentage Test No (inches) (1b/ft3) (1b/ft)
points (see Table III). 1-A 28 37. 39.2
Operation of this process may be followed by refer 1-C -B 28
28
34.9
32.7 .
35.7
. 33.8
ring to the attached drawings, in which 60
2-A 2 32.7 36.
FIG. 1 is a more or less diagrammatic view of the 2-B 2 450 46.8
entire system, and 2-C 12 43.0 44.4
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the preferred pipe 3-A
3-B
36
36
44.3
45.4
44.7
44.0
line reactor. 3-C 36 43.0 44.7
Referring to FIG. 1, phosphoric acid is pumped by 65
pump 20 from a storage tank 1 through a magnetic
flowmeter 2 to the lower end of reaction leg 21 of Belt velocities are not very critical; however, best
pre-neutralizer 3. Simultaneously liquid ammonia from results were obtained when the belt was operated at
 4,009,245 6
5
such a velocity that a 2 to 3 inch thick cake was pro The monoammonium phosphate process can also be
duced. At 6-7 tons per hour production, this required operated with an excess of ammonia (N/P> 1) in the
a belt velocity of about 100 feet per minute. In general, pre-neutralizer followed by addition of phosphoric acid
a minimum of about 3 seconds is required for the instead of ammonia at the pipeline reactor. In other
foamed slurry to solidify. words, all ammonia is introduced at the first reactor.
The light, flaky product separates readily from the This process modification achieves a 100% ammonia
belt as the product reaches the turn roller. Crushing efficiency but usually yields a product with a higher
and grinding of the material is readily accomplished moisture level than that of the process recited above.
because of the cellular nature of the product. In this modified operation, phosphoric acid (35-55%
The improved thermal efficiency, and the better am 10 PPs) is reacted with gaseous ammonia in a neutralizer
monia utilization of the belt process was demonstrated such as neutralizer (3) in FIG. 1 at a N/P mole ratio of
by producing an air-sprayed product and a belt product 1.2-1.8, preferably 1.3-1.5. The heat of reaction raises
alternately from the same acid. In this test, MAP was the temperature of the mixture to boiling, and part of
produced through a movable spray nozzle which could the water is evaporated. If highly concentrated phos
be rotated, without interruption of the process, to dis 15 phoric acid such as 50-55% POs acid is used, addi
charge either onto the moving belt or into a spray tional water (i.e. about 5% to 40% of the gross weight
chamber. A comparison of the two products, as listed of the acid) should be added to the neutralizer to pre
in Table III, shows that the belt-produced material vent solidification of the reactor charge:
contained less moisture. As in the reaction described in Example I, the neu
All test runs were performed with the equipment 20 tralization can be carried out in any conventional reac
train shown in FIG. 1, using anhydrous, gaseous ammo tor; however, we prefer the special neutralizer reactor
nia which we prefer to liquid forms. A summary offeed described by J. W. Hudson in U.S. Pat. No. 3,502,441.
acid and product compositions is listed in Table I.Test The neutralized ammonium phosphate slurry is dis
2-A will be described as a typical example. charged to a surge tank 9 from which it is pumped to a
25 pipeline reactor 10 where phosphoric acid (35-55%
EXAMPLE I PO) is added to adjust the N/P mole ratio to 1.0.
Wet-process sludge acid containing 44.48% PO and Steam is also introduced into the pipeline reactor to
17.04% solids was pumped into the pre-neutralizer at a prevent scale formation and plugging of the reactor.
rate of 18 gallons per minute, together with gaseous The superheated slurry is then discharged through an
ammonia, 17.9 pounds per minute, to give a reaction 30 orifice to impinge on moving belt 14.
slurry containing a mole ratio of N/P of 0.64. The gen The apparatus is identical to that used for the varia
erated steam was vented from the reactor, reducing the tion with an excess of phosphoric acid, and the process
water content of the slurry to 8.59% HO, as deter is the same except for the N/P ratios and the introduc
mined by the Karl Fischer method. The resulting slurry tion of phosphoric acid through line 16.
had a freezing point of 165 F. It was pumped from the 35 It is advantageous for phosphoric acids containing
surge vessel to the pipeline reactor where it was reacted only 35-45% P.O. to preheat the acid to 180°-220 F
with additional ammonia at such a rate to give a dry prior to introduction into the pipeline reactor to pro
product when discharged on the moving belt. The belt vide more heat for the evaporation of water during the
was positioned at 12 inches distance from the discharge subsequent discharge onto the belt.
orifice, and operated at a velocity of 100 feet permin 40 The advantage of the 1.2-1.8 N/P neutralization
ute. Composition and bulk density of the product is method lies in the quantitative ammonia utilization.
listed in Tables I and II. Since all ammonia is introduced at the neutralizer reac
During part of the test, the discharge nozzle was tor and none at the pipeline reactor, a quantitative
rotated to spray into a large collection chamber where recovery of ammonia is possible. The reason for the
the product accumulated as fine prills. In order to pro 45 difference in reactor efficiency is the residence time.
duce non-caking prills, the ammonia rate at the pipe The neutralizer reactor provides a residence time of at
line reactor had to be nearly doubled because of less least several minutes and thorough mixing by the rapid
efficient ammonia utilization. When the operation was recirculation. By contrast, the residence time in the
reverted to the regular belt method, the ammonia rate pipeline reactor is only a fraction of a second, and
at the pipeline reactor could be reduced to approxi- 50 mixing is less thorough than in the neutralizer reactor.
mately one-half the setting without causing caking.
Table III
C f Drying Effici
-Belt Product- ir
HO N PO N/P HO N POs NIP
Test No. (%) (%) (%) (M.R.) % % % (M.R.)
1-A 2.22 8.44 49.07 0.87 3.43 8.6 4.90 0.91
1-B 1.01 8.74 49.59 0.89 2.03 9.75 47-88 1.03
1-C 53 8.29 47.60 0.88 3.38 9.81 46.20 .08
2-A 1.06 8.30 47.96 0.88 3.39 9.43 46.06 0.98
2-8 3.68 748 47.43 0.80 3.59 8.77 46.76 0.95
2-C '262 8.38 47.70 0.89 3.75 8.41 46.20 0.84
3-A 42.20 7.78 47.62 0.83 3.72 8.38 51.04 0.83
3-B 1.77 8.06 48.07 0.85 2.32 9.01 46.61 0.98
. 3-C, 8.36 48.45 0.87 4.58 8.13 46.27 0.89

This variation of our invention is seen to include

This procedure was repeated several times with the several test runs with the equipment train as shown in
same result. , FIG. 1 except that phosphoric acid was introduced
 7 4,009,245 8
through line (16) instead of ammonia. Phosphoric acid a generating a slurry by reacting ammonia with phos
was pumped from the storage tank 1 through a mag phoric acid in a mole ratio of N:P of from about
netic flowmeter 2 to the pre-neutralizer 3. Simulta 0.2:1 to 0.9:1 under agitation of the heat of reac
neously, liquid ammonia from the storage tank 4 was tion;
passed through the vaporizer 5 at the autogenous pres 5 b. reacting said slurry with additional ammonia to
sure of the ammonia storage vessel. A regulator 6 re produce a reactant mixture having a mole ratio of
duced the gas pressure to 65 pounds per sqaure inch N:P of from about 0.7:1 to about 1.5:1; and
gage. After passing through a measuring by-pass rotam c. passing the reactant mixture, while still undergoing
eter 7, the ammonia flow was regulated by a manual an exothermic reaction, through at least one orifice
valve 8 to the neutralizer at such a rate to yield a mole 10 onto a surface, said surface being located from
ratio of 1.3 to 1.5 N/P. The temperature in the neutral about 6 to about 36 inches from said orifice to
izer ranged from 250 to 260' F. With acids containing thereby produce a highly porous, easily friable
more than 50% POs, water was added to prevent the ammonium phosphate product.
temperature from exceeding 260F. The resulting mix 2. Method of claim 1 in which the reactants are
ture discharged through the overflow to a surge vessel 15 cooled on said surface and recovered as a dry, friable
9 from which it was pumped to the pipeline reactor 10 product.
where additional acid 16 was introduced to give a 1.0 3. Method of claim 2 in which the surface is flexed to
N/P mole ratio. Steam was provided at a rate of remove the product.
100-250 lb. perton of product. The superheated slurry 4. Method of claim 1 in which the surface is a moving
was then discharged through the orifice 13 to impinge 20 belt.
on a moving belt 14 at a distance from 6 to 36 inches, 5. Method of claim 1 in which the surface is a moving
preferably 12 to 18 inches. belt tocated about 12 to about 18 inches from said
Typical process data and the compositions of the
neutralizer slurry and the final product are listed in orifice and moving at a rate such that the deposit on the
belt is from 0.5 to 10 inches deep.
Table IV. 25 6. Method of claim 1 in which the ammonia is in
Table IV
Process Data and Stream Compositions
(ATC 329-5-)
Feed Rate lb./min. N lizer Dischar Product
Acid Ammonia Water Steam %N % PO % HO N/P.M.R. %N % PO % HO N/P,M.R.
1.53 0.253 - 0.20 12.85 43.65 8.21 1.49 11.39 53.69 6.59 1.07
532 0.253 .308 0.20 12.65 42.88 0.08 49 10.47 47.08 8.02 1.12
51.07% Po
'48.00% PO

gaseous form.
The most important improvements of our belt pro 7. Method of claim 1 wherein the reaction of ammo
cess over conventional MAP processes are as follows: nia and phosphoric acid is conducted in the presence of
1. Flexibility to use various types of phosphoric acids, 40 Steam.
ranging from furnace acid to black sludge acids con 8. Method of claim 1 wherein the reaction of ammo
taining up to 30% solids. nia and the slurry is conducted in the presence of
2. Ammonia losses greatly reduced. steam. .. ;
3. Control of fume emission facilitated since only a 9. Apparatus for producing a non-granular ammo
small area and volume of air needs to be controlled. 45 nium phosphate having a mole' ratio of N:P of from
4. Improved thermal efficiency which provides a about 0.7:1 to about 1.5:1 comprising (a) a pre-neu
drier product or, as another alternative, allows the use tralizer means for reacting ammonia with phosphoric
of a more dilute feed acid. acid under agitation from the heat of reaction to pro
5. Improved reactivity of the product due to the cel duce an ammonium phosphate slurry having either an
lular nature of the material, which provides a greater 50 excess of nitrogen or an excess of phosphorous over or
surface area for reaction when used for granular fertil under the N:P mole ratio of 1:1; (b) a pipeline reactor
izer production. means for reacting said slurry with either additional
6. No citrate-insoluble phosphate formed in the pro ammonia or additional phosphoric acid to produce a
CSS.
final reactant mixture having an N:P mole ratio of from
7. Ease of process control. The appearance of the 55 about 0.7:1 to about 1.5:1; (c) nozzle means associated
MAP on the belt provides instantaneous information of with said pipeline reactor means through which said
process performance. final reactant mixture is passed while said mixture is
8. No recycle necessary, allowing high production still undergoing an exothermic reaction; and (d) a mov
rates.
9. Lower capital costs. ing surface means located from about 6 to about 36
60 inches from said nozzle means upon which said final
We do not intend to be restricted to the above spe reactant mixture is deposited and dried to produce a
cific examples and illustrations; our invention may be light, flaky foamed and easily friable product.
otherwise variously practiced within the scope of the 10. Apparatus as in claim 9 additionally comprising
following claims. crushing and grinding means for crushing and grinding
We claim: said easily friable product which is removed from said
1. Method of making ammonium phosphate having a surface means.
mole ratio of N.P of about 0.7:1 to about 1.5:1 com 11. Apparatus of claim 9 including means for supply
prising ing ammonia and phosphoric acid to the pre-neutral

H
 4,009,245
izer means, means for conveying the slurry made
therein onto said pipeline reactor means, and means for
supplying ammonia or phosphoric acid to said pipeline
reactor means.
12, Method of making ammonium phosphate having
a mole ratio of N:P of about 0.71:1 to about 1.5:1
comprising
a generating a slurry by reacting ammonia with phos
phoric acid in a mole ratio of N:P of from about
1.2:1 to 1.8:1 under agitation of the heat of reac
ition;
b. reacting said slurry with additional phosphoric
acid to produce a reactant mixture having a mole
ratio of N:P of from about 0.7:1 to about 1.5:1; and
c. passing the rectant mixture, while still undergoing
an exothermic reaction, through at least one orifice
onto a surface, said surface being located from
about 6 to about 36 inches from said orifice to
thereby produce a higly porous, easily friable am
monium phosphate product.
10
13. Method of claim 12 in which the surface is a
moving belt.
14. Method of claim 12 in which the surface is a
moving belt moving at a rate such that the deposit on
5 the belt is from 0.5 to 10 inches deep.
15. Method of claim 12 in which the initial ratio of
N:P is 13:1 to 1.5:1.
16. Method of making ammonium phosphate having
a mole ratio of N:P of about 0.8:1 to 1.2:1 comprising
10 a. generating a slurry by reacting ammonia with phos
phoric acid in a mole ratio of N:P of from about
1.35 to about 1.45 under agitation of the heat of
reaction;
b. reacting said slurry with phosphoric acid to pro
15 duce a reactant mixture having a mole ratio of N:P
of from about 0.8:1 to about 1.2:1; and
c. passing the reactant mixture, while still undergoing
an exothermic reaction, through at least one orifice
onto a surface, said surface being located from
20 about 6 to about 36 inches from said orifice to
thereby produce a highly porous, easily friable
ammonium phosphate product.
k + k is k
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65