CA2229493C - Substantially dust-free solids and process for dust suppression in solids - Google Patents
Substantially dust-free solids and process for dust suppression in solids Download PDFInfo
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- CA2229493C CA2229493C CA 2229493 CA2229493A CA2229493C CA 2229493 C CA2229493 C CA 2229493C CA 2229493 CA2229493 CA 2229493 CA 2229493 A CA2229493 A CA 2229493A CA 2229493 C CA2229493 C CA 2229493C
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Abstract
Disclosed is a substantially dust free solid like ammonium sulfate that is treated with a blend of water or solvents and distillation bottoms. The distillation bottoms are liquid at about 60°C or less and are obtained from production of an alcohol having the formula:
wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain, or cyclic C4 to C12 and R2 is OH or H.
The application of such distillation bottoms to the solid hinders the tendency of this solid to generate dust.
Thus the resulting solid materials are substantially dust-free, which make them particularly useful in the solids handling industry, especially in the granular fertilizer field.
Aslo disclosed are treated solids that are in the form of unpaved thoroughfares such as gravel parking lots and dirt roads.
wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain, or cyclic C4 to C12 and R2 is OH or H.
The application of such distillation bottoms to the solid hinders the tendency of this solid to generate dust.
Thus the resulting solid materials are substantially dust-free, which make them particularly useful in the solids handling industry, especially in the granular fertilizer field.
Aslo disclosed are treated solids that are in the form of unpaved thoroughfares such as gravel parking lots and dirt roads.
Description
SUBSTANTIAT-T.Y DUST-F~F~ sor~IDs A~D PROC~SS
FOR DUST SUPP~SSION IN SOLIDS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to solid state materials and it has particular application for suppressing dust formation in solid state fertilizers.
~ACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The generation of dust in the handling of certain finely divided solid material~ or in the handling of "fines"
present among larger particles, is a known problem. One area where this problem has been observed is in the handling of fertilizer materials. Dust is frequently generated in the handling of dry fertilizers. ~Dust can be a nuisance and may pose safety and health hazards. Dust problems are particularly severe in bulk fertilizer production and in distribution facilities that handle large quantities of dry fertilizers.
When loading or unloading large quantities of such materials, the dust generated results Ln poor working conditions. A
portion of the solid is lost and the surrounding may be contaminated with the settling dust. The United States Government has issued regulations to control dust exposure in the work place and to limit the amount of dust released into the environment.
The problem of preventing dust formation has been handled by spraying a liquid onto the solid material. Examples of this may be found in U.S. Patent No. 3,393,973, to Almy, (tall oil sprayed on potash); U.S. Patent No. 4,717,555 to Newman, et al. (naphthalene sulfonates and water on ammonium salts preventing caking and dust formation); and U.S. Patent No. S,041,153 to Detroit (lignosulfonate treated inorganic chemicals resist caking and dust).
Waxes and oils have also been applied to fertilizer powders to prevent dust formation. Such is described in European Patent Publication No. 0 255 665.
Russian Inventor's Certificate No. 2019535 Cl describes the use of glycerol residuum (bottoms formed in the distillation of crude glycerol) applied to potassium chloride as an anti-dusting agent.
Ammonium sulfate has been granulated to improve particle size distribution. U.S. Patent No. 4,277,253 to Walter et al. describes the granulation of ammonium sulfate and other fertilizer ingredients.
Lobeco Products Inc. offers an anti-caking and anti-dusting product under the name GalorylTM ATH 632. Galoryl ATH
632 is a solid at ambient temperature and must be heated (to about 80~C) to the liquid state before application. This adds to the handling difficulty and contributes to the safety precautions that must be in place to prevent burns from spillage of heated liquids.
In addition to the handling difficulties, such sprays are expensive and add significantly to the production cost of free-flowing, dust-free granules. Therefore, there remains a need for safely and economically producing granules that remain free-flowing and dust-free even after storage and shipping.
Water is an effect:ive anti-dusting agent. Water, however, usually causes the material, e.g., ammonium sulfate, to cake. An effective anti-dusting agent will not contribute to the caking problems observed with many of the solid materials to which the present invention relates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide granules, like ammonium sulfate, that is substantially dust-free.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a process for making granules that are substantially dust-free.
These and related objects and advantages are achieved with a substantially dust-free solid that is treated with a blend of water and distillation bottoms.
Also provided is a process for hindering the tendency of a solid to generate dust by treating the solid with such distillation bottoms.
The distillation bott;oms that are used in accordance with the liquid at about 60~C' or less and are obtained from production of an alcohol having the formula:
R2-Rl-OH
wherein Rl is substituted or unsubstituted branched, straight chain or cyclic C4 to Cl2 and R2 is OH or H.
The preferred distillation bottoms are distillation bottoms from the production of hexanediol. The blend may be up to about 50% by weight water. The solid may be any solid that thas a tendency to form dust on storage, shipment or use. When the solid is a fertilizer, it may be potassium chloride;
potassium nitrate; potassium chloride; and ammonium sulfate;
ammonium nitrate; sodium nitr~te; potassium nitrate; calcium nitrate; urea; diammonium phosphate; ammonium polyphosphate;
monoammonium phosphate; triple superphospahte; ammonium chloride; potash; or mixtures of thereof. Others solids, however are made dust free through the use of the present invention. The preferred application rate is generally about 2 to about 40 lb./ton solid.
Another object of the present invention is to provide granules that are substantial;Ly dust-free and do not tend to cake on storage and shipment.
In addition, the present invention includes treated solids that are in the form of unpaved thoroughfares such as gravel parking lots and gravel or dirt roads.
In addition, the present invention includes treate~
solids that are in the form of unpaved thoroughfares such as gravel parking lots and gravel or dirt roads to reduce dust formation due to vehicular traffic, etc.
Related objects and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains after reading the following detailed description of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The invention will ilOW be described with specific language. No limitation should be inferred due to the specific language. Reasonable modifications, equivalents and further embodiments, as will be readily envisioned by the ordinarily skilled in this art, are considered within the scope of the present invention.
The solids handling industry uses different terms to describe solids. "Powder" generally defines a very fine or dust-like material. "Granules" refer to larger particles that have more mass. "Particulate" is another term that is used.
Agriculturists want to apply granular materials because they spread uniformly. Lighter mat;erials are more difficult to spread uniformly on fields, especially on windy days. During the solids handling process, however, breakage occurs and dust or fines are generated. It should be understood in reading the following detailed description of the present invention that the term "granules" is not used in any limiting sense and applies to granular materials as well as fines, powders, particulate, combinations of these, etc.
One aspect of the present invention is a process for suppressing dust formation in the solid by applying to the solid, the distillation bottoms from the production of an alcohol having the formula:
R2-R1-OH, wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain, or cyclic C4 to C12 and R2 is OH or H. Such distillation bottorns are diluted with water or other liquid and are in the liquid state at 60OC or less. It is surprising that this by-product stream can be effectively used to suppress the tendency of solids to dust without promoting caking on storage and shipment.
The useful distillat;ion bottoms (sometimes called "distillation heavies") are a by-product of the production of alcohols according to the formula:
R2-Rl--OH, wherein Rl is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain, or cyclic C4 to C12 and R2 is OH or H. Preferably, the distillation bottoms are the by-product of the production of 1,6, hexanediol. While not wishing to be limited to the exact proportions of materials present in such bottoms, which may vary as will be understood by those ordinarily skill in the art, the following are exemplary components of 1,6 bexanediol distillation bottoms (in percent by weight determined by gas chromatography): 1,6 hexanediol ~3.0-9.6), 6,6'dihydroxydihexyl ether (2.8-9.9), oligomers (1l.5-14.0), various other diols, esters and ethers (73.6-76.E~), and water (0.2-0.3). 1,6 hexanediol distillation bottoms is a dark liquid that freezes at about -54~C.
The present invention is applicable to a variety of granules that tend to dust. Such materials are found in many industries such as food, cosmetic, mining, sodium chloride, etc., industries. The reference to the fertilizer industry and fertilizer granules in this det~iled description is, therefore, not considered to limit the present invention to the fertilizer industry. Exemplary granules include ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, urea, diammonium phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, mono-ammonium phosphate, triple s,uperphosphate, urea, ammonium chloride, potash, potassium chloride, potassium nitrate, potassium chloride and mixtures of these with other granules and with each other. Preferably, the granules are fertilizer granules and most preferably annnonium sulfate and mixtures thereof.
The distillation bottoms are preferably mixed with water or another equivalent solvent before application to the solid. As demonstrated in the Examples below, even when mixed with water prior to application, the distillation bottoms did not promote caking of ammonium sulfate fertilizer granules.
Mixing with water may be preferred to reduce the viscosity of lo the distillation bottoms and make them more manageable in the field. The distillation bottoms may be diluted with up to about 50% (or more) by weight water. It should be noted that phase separation may occur at higher l~ilution levels (about 50%) but this is not considered detrimental to effectiveness in dust suppression.
The distillation botloms may be applied by spraying directly on the granules or by other methods of application.
Spraying is the currently preferred method. Spraying may be accomplished, for example, by pumping the dust suppressing agent through a spray nozzle which directs the dust suppressing agent on to the material to be treated. The material is preferably treated during conveyance from production to storage, but may be treated at; any time in the production to use cycle. Various methods of pumping (i.e., types of pumps, use of a vapor pad to move the dust suppressing liquid, etc.) can be used as well as various types of nozzles (distributors, mixing drums, etc.). Many types of conventional and novel equipment can be used for this application. The dust suppressing age~t should be applied in an approximately uniform layer on the treated material. It is preferably applied during the conveyance of the material into a storage container or the like. In some cases, the distillation bottoms may be heated before application, but this i-, not essential.
The rate of application will depend on the end use for which the solids are intended. In the case of fertilizers, the application rate is preferably in the range of about 2 pounds to about 40 pounds per ton of granules. More preferably, the application rate is about 4 pounds to about 12 pounds of distillation bottoms per ton oi granules.
In addition, the distillation bottoms may be applied to unpaved thoroughfares, such as gravel parking lots, dirt roads and driveways, gravel roads and driveways, and other surfaces where dust formation is a problem. In the case of thoroughfares, application of the distillation bottoms will suppress dust formation due to traffic on such surfaces. The distillation bottoms may be applied by any conventional means for applying dust suppression agents to such surfaces. The distillation bottoms may or may not be mixed with water or an equivalent solvent.
Another aspect of the present invention is a substantially dust-free solid treated with the distillation bottoms from the production of an alcohol having the formula:
R2-Rl--OH
wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain or cyclic C4 to C12 and R2 is OH or H. Such distillation bottoms are in the liquid state at about 60~C or less.
The useful distillation bottoms are described in more detail above in connection with the process aspect of the present invention. The preferred heavies are from the production of 1,6 hexanediol as described previously.
The treated solid of the present invention may be any one of a variety of granules that tend to create a substantial arnount of dust. Such materia]s are found in many industries such as food, cosmetic, mining, sodium chloride, etc., -industries. As noted in connection with the process of the present invention, the reference to the fertilizer industry and fertilizer granules in this detailed description is not considered to limit the present invention to the fertilizer industry. Exemplary granules include ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, urea, diammonium phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, mono-ammonium phosphate, triple superphosphate, urea, ammonium chloride, potash, potassium chloride, potassium nitrate, potassium chloride and mixtures of these with other granules and with each other. Preferably, the solid granules are fertilizer granules and, most preferably, ammonium sulfate and mixtures thereof.
To make the treated solid of the present invention, the distillation bottoms may be applied by spraying directly on the granules as described above in connection with the process.
The distillation bottoms may be diluted up to about 50% by weight (or more) with water or another solvent. The rate of application is in the range of from about 2 pounds to about 40 pounds per ton of the solids to be treated. Preferably, the application is at a rate of about 4 to about 12 lb. distilla-tion bottoms per ton of the so]id to be treated.
The treated solid of the present invention may be an unpaved thoroughfare such as a parking lot, gravel road, dirt road, unpaved driveway, etc. The treated solid in the form of such a thoroughfare will resist dust formation from vehicular travel. The distillation bottoms may or may not be diluted with water or another solvent prior to treating the thoroughfare.
The invention will now be described in the following specific examples, however, no limitation on the scope of the invention should be inferred from the specific details of these examples. All percentages are by weight unless indicated to the contrary.
COMPARATIYE ~xAMpLE
Untreated ammonium sulfate is conveyed from a production unit to a storage bin. Dust formation during conveyance is severe.
~X~MPLE 1 - DUST SUPPRESSION
During conveyance from a production unit to a storage bin, ammonium sulfate is sprayed at a rate of about gallon/ton (about 8 lb./ton) distillation bottoms from the production of l,6, hexanediol that have been diluted about lO
to about 50% with water. Dust i-ormation is minimal.
~XAMPT.~S 2A - 5B CAKING TEST
In Examples l-4, distillation bottoms from the production of l,6 hexanediol are diluted with 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% water, respectively. For t;he "A" series of examples, the diluted bottoms are sprayed on ammonium sulfate granules at a rate of about 4 lb./ton. For 1;he "B" series of examples, the diluted bottoms are sprayed on ammonium sulfate granules at a rate of about 8 lb./ton. An untreated ammonium sulfate sample is used as a control.
Test cakes are made from the treated ammonium sulfate and the untreated control. These cakes are made by placing ammonium sulfate in test cells and applying a pressure of 2 tons for one minute with a hydraulic press. A force gauge is used to record the force that is needed to break each cake.
Five breaking tests are conducted for each example. The average force is reported in the table below.
Table - Cake Breaki~P Stren~th SAMPLE BREAKING STRENG~H (Ib.) Control 20 2A: 15%dilution ~4 Ib./ton 12 2B: 15% dilution ~ 8 Ib./ton 11 3A: 20% dilution ~ 4 Ib./ton 14 3B: 20% dilution ~ 8 Ib./ton 10 4A: 25% dilution (~ 4 Ib./ton 15 4B: 25% dilution (~ 8 Ib./ton 11 5A: 30% dilution ~ 4 Ib./ton 13 5B: 30% dilution ~ 8 Ib.l~on 12
FOR DUST SUPP~SSION IN SOLIDS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to solid state materials and it has particular application for suppressing dust formation in solid state fertilizers.
~ACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The generation of dust in the handling of certain finely divided solid material~ or in the handling of "fines"
present among larger particles, is a known problem. One area where this problem has been observed is in the handling of fertilizer materials. Dust is frequently generated in the handling of dry fertilizers. ~Dust can be a nuisance and may pose safety and health hazards. Dust problems are particularly severe in bulk fertilizer production and in distribution facilities that handle large quantities of dry fertilizers.
When loading or unloading large quantities of such materials, the dust generated results Ln poor working conditions. A
portion of the solid is lost and the surrounding may be contaminated with the settling dust. The United States Government has issued regulations to control dust exposure in the work place and to limit the amount of dust released into the environment.
The problem of preventing dust formation has been handled by spraying a liquid onto the solid material. Examples of this may be found in U.S. Patent No. 3,393,973, to Almy, (tall oil sprayed on potash); U.S. Patent No. 4,717,555 to Newman, et al. (naphthalene sulfonates and water on ammonium salts preventing caking and dust formation); and U.S. Patent No. S,041,153 to Detroit (lignosulfonate treated inorganic chemicals resist caking and dust).
Waxes and oils have also been applied to fertilizer powders to prevent dust formation. Such is described in European Patent Publication No. 0 255 665.
Russian Inventor's Certificate No. 2019535 Cl describes the use of glycerol residuum (bottoms formed in the distillation of crude glycerol) applied to potassium chloride as an anti-dusting agent.
Ammonium sulfate has been granulated to improve particle size distribution. U.S. Patent No. 4,277,253 to Walter et al. describes the granulation of ammonium sulfate and other fertilizer ingredients.
Lobeco Products Inc. offers an anti-caking and anti-dusting product under the name GalorylTM ATH 632. Galoryl ATH
632 is a solid at ambient temperature and must be heated (to about 80~C) to the liquid state before application. This adds to the handling difficulty and contributes to the safety precautions that must be in place to prevent burns from spillage of heated liquids.
In addition to the handling difficulties, such sprays are expensive and add significantly to the production cost of free-flowing, dust-free granules. Therefore, there remains a need for safely and economically producing granules that remain free-flowing and dust-free even after storage and shipping.
Water is an effect:ive anti-dusting agent. Water, however, usually causes the material, e.g., ammonium sulfate, to cake. An effective anti-dusting agent will not contribute to the caking problems observed with many of the solid materials to which the present invention relates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide granules, like ammonium sulfate, that is substantially dust-free.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a process for making granules that are substantially dust-free.
These and related objects and advantages are achieved with a substantially dust-free solid that is treated with a blend of water and distillation bottoms.
Also provided is a process for hindering the tendency of a solid to generate dust by treating the solid with such distillation bottoms.
The distillation bott;oms that are used in accordance with the liquid at about 60~C' or less and are obtained from production of an alcohol having the formula:
R2-Rl-OH
wherein Rl is substituted or unsubstituted branched, straight chain or cyclic C4 to Cl2 and R2 is OH or H.
The preferred distillation bottoms are distillation bottoms from the production of hexanediol. The blend may be up to about 50% by weight water. The solid may be any solid that thas a tendency to form dust on storage, shipment or use. When the solid is a fertilizer, it may be potassium chloride;
potassium nitrate; potassium chloride; and ammonium sulfate;
ammonium nitrate; sodium nitr~te; potassium nitrate; calcium nitrate; urea; diammonium phosphate; ammonium polyphosphate;
monoammonium phosphate; triple superphospahte; ammonium chloride; potash; or mixtures of thereof. Others solids, however are made dust free through the use of the present invention. The preferred application rate is generally about 2 to about 40 lb./ton solid.
Another object of the present invention is to provide granules that are substantial;Ly dust-free and do not tend to cake on storage and shipment.
In addition, the present invention includes treated solids that are in the form of unpaved thoroughfares such as gravel parking lots and gravel or dirt roads.
In addition, the present invention includes treate~
solids that are in the form of unpaved thoroughfares such as gravel parking lots and gravel or dirt roads to reduce dust formation due to vehicular traffic, etc.
Related objects and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains after reading the following detailed description of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The invention will ilOW be described with specific language. No limitation should be inferred due to the specific language. Reasonable modifications, equivalents and further embodiments, as will be readily envisioned by the ordinarily skilled in this art, are considered within the scope of the present invention.
The solids handling industry uses different terms to describe solids. "Powder" generally defines a very fine or dust-like material. "Granules" refer to larger particles that have more mass. "Particulate" is another term that is used.
Agriculturists want to apply granular materials because they spread uniformly. Lighter mat;erials are more difficult to spread uniformly on fields, especially on windy days. During the solids handling process, however, breakage occurs and dust or fines are generated. It should be understood in reading the following detailed description of the present invention that the term "granules" is not used in any limiting sense and applies to granular materials as well as fines, powders, particulate, combinations of these, etc.
One aspect of the present invention is a process for suppressing dust formation in the solid by applying to the solid, the distillation bottoms from the production of an alcohol having the formula:
R2-R1-OH, wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain, or cyclic C4 to C12 and R2 is OH or H. Such distillation bottorns are diluted with water or other liquid and are in the liquid state at 60OC or less. It is surprising that this by-product stream can be effectively used to suppress the tendency of solids to dust without promoting caking on storage and shipment.
The useful distillat;ion bottoms (sometimes called "distillation heavies") are a by-product of the production of alcohols according to the formula:
R2-Rl--OH, wherein Rl is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain, or cyclic C4 to C12 and R2 is OH or H. Preferably, the distillation bottoms are the by-product of the production of 1,6, hexanediol. While not wishing to be limited to the exact proportions of materials present in such bottoms, which may vary as will be understood by those ordinarily skill in the art, the following are exemplary components of 1,6 bexanediol distillation bottoms (in percent by weight determined by gas chromatography): 1,6 hexanediol ~3.0-9.6), 6,6'dihydroxydihexyl ether (2.8-9.9), oligomers (1l.5-14.0), various other diols, esters and ethers (73.6-76.E~), and water (0.2-0.3). 1,6 hexanediol distillation bottoms is a dark liquid that freezes at about -54~C.
The present invention is applicable to a variety of granules that tend to dust. Such materials are found in many industries such as food, cosmetic, mining, sodium chloride, etc., industries. The reference to the fertilizer industry and fertilizer granules in this det~iled description is, therefore, not considered to limit the present invention to the fertilizer industry. Exemplary granules include ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, urea, diammonium phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, mono-ammonium phosphate, triple s,uperphosphate, urea, ammonium chloride, potash, potassium chloride, potassium nitrate, potassium chloride and mixtures of these with other granules and with each other. Preferably, the granules are fertilizer granules and most preferably annnonium sulfate and mixtures thereof.
The distillation bottoms are preferably mixed with water or another equivalent solvent before application to the solid. As demonstrated in the Examples below, even when mixed with water prior to application, the distillation bottoms did not promote caking of ammonium sulfate fertilizer granules.
Mixing with water may be preferred to reduce the viscosity of lo the distillation bottoms and make them more manageable in the field. The distillation bottoms may be diluted with up to about 50% (or more) by weight water. It should be noted that phase separation may occur at higher l~ilution levels (about 50%) but this is not considered detrimental to effectiveness in dust suppression.
The distillation botloms may be applied by spraying directly on the granules or by other methods of application.
Spraying is the currently preferred method. Spraying may be accomplished, for example, by pumping the dust suppressing agent through a spray nozzle which directs the dust suppressing agent on to the material to be treated. The material is preferably treated during conveyance from production to storage, but may be treated at; any time in the production to use cycle. Various methods of pumping (i.e., types of pumps, use of a vapor pad to move the dust suppressing liquid, etc.) can be used as well as various types of nozzles (distributors, mixing drums, etc.). Many types of conventional and novel equipment can be used for this application. The dust suppressing age~t should be applied in an approximately uniform layer on the treated material. It is preferably applied during the conveyance of the material into a storage container or the like. In some cases, the distillation bottoms may be heated before application, but this i-, not essential.
The rate of application will depend on the end use for which the solids are intended. In the case of fertilizers, the application rate is preferably in the range of about 2 pounds to about 40 pounds per ton of granules. More preferably, the application rate is about 4 pounds to about 12 pounds of distillation bottoms per ton oi granules.
In addition, the distillation bottoms may be applied to unpaved thoroughfares, such as gravel parking lots, dirt roads and driveways, gravel roads and driveways, and other surfaces where dust formation is a problem. In the case of thoroughfares, application of the distillation bottoms will suppress dust formation due to traffic on such surfaces. The distillation bottoms may be applied by any conventional means for applying dust suppression agents to such surfaces. The distillation bottoms may or may not be mixed with water or an equivalent solvent.
Another aspect of the present invention is a substantially dust-free solid treated with the distillation bottoms from the production of an alcohol having the formula:
R2-Rl--OH
wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain or cyclic C4 to C12 and R2 is OH or H. Such distillation bottoms are in the liquid state at about 60~C or less.
The useful distillation bottoms are described in more detail above in connection with the process aspect of the present invention. The preferred heavies are from the production of 1,6 hexanediol as described previously.
The treated solid of the present invention may be any one of a variety of granules that tend to create a substantial arnount of dust. Such materia]s are found in many industries such as food, cosmetic, mining, sodium chloride, etc., -industries. As noted in connection with the process of the present invention, the reference to the fertilizer industry and fertilizer granules in this detailed description is not considered to limit the present invention to the fertilizer industry. Exemplary granules include ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, urea, diammonium phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, mono-ammonium phosphate, triple superphosphate, urea, ammonium chloride, potash, potassium chloride, potassium nitrate, potassium chloride and mixtures of these with other granules and with each other. Preferably, the solid granules are fertilizer granules and, most preferably, ammonium sulfate and mixtures thereof.
To make the treated solid of the present invention, the distillation bottoms may be applied by spraying directly on the granules as described above in connection with the process.
The distillation bottoms may be diluted up to about 50% by weight (or more) with water or another solvent. The rate of application is in the range of from about 2 pounds to about 40 pounds per ton of the solids to be treated. Preferably, the application is at a rate of about 4 to about 12 lb. distilla-tion bottoms per ton of the so]id to be treated.
The treated solid of the present invention may be an unpaved thoroughfare such as a parking lot, gravel road, dirt road, unpaved driveway, etc. The treated solid in the form of such a thoroughfare will resist dust formation from vehicular travel. The distillation bottoms may or may not be diluted with water or another solvent prior to treating the thoroughfare.
The invention will now be described in the following specific examples, however, no limitation on the scope of the invention should be inferred from the specific details of these examples. All percentages are by weight unless indicated to the contrary.
COMPARATIYE ~xAMpLE
Untreated ammonium sulfate is conveyed from a production unit to a storage bin. Dust formation during conveyance is severe.
~X~MPLE 1 - DUST SUPPRESSION
During conveyance from a production unit to a storage bin, ammonium sulfate is sprayed at a rate of about gallon/ton (about 8 lb./ton) distillation bottoms from the production of l,6, hexanediol that have been diluted about lO
to about 50% with water. Dust i-ormation is minimal.
~XAMPT.~S 2A - 5B CAKING TEST
In Examples l-4, distillation bottoms from the production of l,6 hexanediol are diluted with 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% water, respectively. For t;he "A" series of examples, the diluted bottoms are sprayed on ammonium sulfate granules at a rate of about 4 lb./ton. For 1;he "B" series of examples, the diluted bottoms are sprayed on ammonium sulfate granules at a rate of about 8 lb./ton. An untreated ammonium sulfate sample is used as a control.
Test cakes are made from the treated ammonium sulfate and the untreated control. These cakes are made by placing ammonium sulfate in test cells and applying a pressure of 2 tons for one minute with a hydraulic press. A force gauge is used to record the force that is needed to break each cake.
Five breaking tests are conducted for each example. The average force is reported in the table below.
Table - Cake Breaki~P Stren~th SAMPLE BREAKING STRENG~H (Ib.) Control 20 2A: 15%dilution ~4 Ib./ton 12 2B: 15% dilution ~ 8 Ib./ton 11 3A: 20% dilution ~ 4 Ib./ton 14 3B: 20% dilution ~ 8 Ib./ton 10 4A: 25% dilution (~ 4 Ib./ton 15 4B: 25% dilution (~ 8 Ib./ton 11 5A: 30% dilution ~ 4 Ib./ton 13 5B: 30% dilution ~ 8 Ib.l~on 12
Claims (21)
1. A dust-free solid that is treated with a blend of water or solvent and distillation bottoms, said distillation bottoms being liquid at 60°C or less and being obtained from production of an alcohol having the formula:
R2-R1-OH, wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain or cyclic C4 to C12 and R2 is OH or H.
R2-R1-OH, wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain or cyclic C4 to C12 and R2 is OH or H.
2. The solid of claim 1, wherein said distillation bottoms are distillation bottoms from the production of 1,6 hexanediol.
3. The solid of claim 1 or 2, wherein said solid is selected from the group consisting of:
ammonium sulfate;
ammonium nitrate;
sodium nitrate;
potassium nitrate;
calcium nitrate;
urea;
diammonium phosphate;
ammonium polyphosphate;
monoammonium phosphate;
triple superphosphate;
ammonium chloride;
potash;
potassium chloride; and mixtures thereof.
ammonium sulfate;
ammonium nitrate;
sodium nitrate;
potassium nitrate;
calcium nitrate;
urea;
diammonium phosphate;
ammonium polyphosphate;
monoammonium phosphate;
triple superphosphate;
ammonium chloride;
potash;
potassium chloride; and mixtures thereof.
4. The solid of claim 3, wherein said solid is ammonium sulfate granules or a mixture thereof.
5. The solid of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said distillation bottoms are present at the rate of 2 to 40lb./ton solid.
6. The solid of claim 5, wherein said distillation bottoms a.re present at 4 to 12 lb./ton solids.
7. The solid of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said blend is up to about 50% water or solvent.
8. An unpaved thoroughfare treated with a blend of water or solvent and distillation bottoms, said distillation bottoms being liquid at 60°C or less and being obtained from production of an alcohol having the formula:
R2-R1-OH, wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain or cyclic C4 to C12 and R2 is OH or H.
R2-R1-OH, wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain or cyclic C4 to C12 and R2 is OH or H.
9. The unpaved thoroughfare of claim 8, wherein said distillation bottoms are distillation bottoms from the production of 1,6 hexanediol.
10. The unpaved thoroughfare of claim 8 or 9, wherein said thoroughfare is a gravel road, dirt road, gravel driveway, dirt driveway or parking lot.
11. A process for suppressing dust formation of solids comprising:
- treating the solids with a blend of water or solvents and distillation bottoms, which distillation bottoms are liquid at 60°C or less and are obtained from production of an alcohol having the formula:
R2-R1-OH, wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain, or cyclic C4 to C12 and R2 is OH or H.
- treating the solids with a blend of water or solvents and distillation bottoms, which distillation bottoms are liquid at 60°C or less and are obtained from production of an alcohol having the formula:
R2-R1-OH, wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain, or cyclic C4 to C12 and R2 is OH or H.
12. The process of claim 11, wherein said distilla-tion bottoms are distillation bottoms from the production of 1,6 hexanediol.
13. The process of claim 11 or 12, wherein the blend is up to 50% by weight water.
14. The process of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein said solid is selected from the group consisting of:
ammonium sulfate;
ammonium nitrate;
sodium nitrate;
potassium nitrate;
calcium nitrate;
urea;
diammonium phosphate;
ammonium polyphosphate;
monoammonium phosphate;
triple superphosphate;
urea;
ammonium chloride;
potash;
potassium chloride; and mixtures thereof.
ammonium sulfate;
ammonium nitrate;
sodium nitrate;
potassium nitrate;
calcium nitrate;
urea;
diammonium phosphate;
ammonium polyphosphate;
monoammonium phosphate;
triple superphosphate;
urea;
ammonium chloride;
potash;
potassium chloride; and mixtures thereof.
15. The process of claim 14, wherein said solid is ammonium sulfate granules or a mixture thereof.
16. The process of any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein said treating is by spraying said blend on the solid at a point where said solid is conveyed to storage.
17. The process of claim 16, wherein said spraying is at a rate of 2 to 40 lb. distillation bottoms per ton solid.
18. The process of claim 17, wherein said spraying is at a rate of 4 to 12 lb. distillation bottoms per ton solid.
19. A process for supressing dust formation on unpaved thoroughfares comprising:
- treating the unpaved thoroughfares with a blend of water or solvent distillation bottoms that are liquid at 60°C or less and are obtained form production of an alcohol having the formula:
wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain, or cyclic C4 to C12 and R2 is OH or H.
- treating the unpaved thoroughfares with a blend of water or solvent distillation bottoms that are liquid at 60°C or less and are obtained form production of an alcohol having the formula:
wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain, or cyclic C4 to C12 and R2 is OH or H.
20. The process of claim 19, wherein said distillation bottoms are distillation bottoms from the production of 1,6-hexanediol.
21. The process of claim 19 or 20, wherein said thorough-fares are one or more of gravel roads, dirt roads, gravel driveways, dirt driveways or unpaved parking lots.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/837,513 US5820787A (en) | 1997-04-14 | 1997-04-14 | Process for dust suppression in solids |
| US08/837,513 | 1997-04-14 | ||
| US08/837,139 US5855816A (en) | 1997-04-14 | 1997-04-14 | Dust suppression in solids |
| US08/837,139 | 1997-04-14 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2229493A1 CA2229493A1 (en) | 1998-10-14 |
| CA2229493C true CA2229493C (en) | 2002-05-14 |
Family
ID=27125921
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2229493 Expired - Fee Related CA2229493C (en) | 1997-04-14 | 1998-03-13 | Substantially dust-free solids and process for dust suppression in solids |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2229493C (en) |
-
1998
- 1998-03-13 CA CA 2229493 patent/CA2229493C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2229493A1 (en) | 1998-10-14 |
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