Lödige Process Technology, Paderborn, Germany, has developed a process engineering solution for production of monocalcium phosphate (MCP). The powder, which is an essential component of feed and phosphate fertilisers, can be produced economically in a single process.

MCP is formed by the reaction of pure phosphoric acid and calcium carbonate. Powerful process technology is just as important to the production of high-quality MCP as the quality of the raw materials used. Lödige now offers a solution that is specially designed for this application, based on a type KM ploughshare mixer for continuous operation.

The mixer in question uses the mechanically generated fluid bed system that was introduced to mixing technology by Lödige, whereby ploughshare shovels in their basic shape (patented by Lödige in 1949) rotate close to the walls of a horizontal, cylindrical drum. The circumference speed and geometric shape of these plough-like mixing tools are designed so that they pick up the raw materials for the mixture completely and throw them into the free mixing compartment. During this process, the material is lifted off the drum wall counter to the centrifugal force. This generates a mechanical fluid bed, in which the entire product mixture is constantly gripped, resulting in extremely thorough mixing, even with high mixture throughput and short retention times. The mixing elements are shaped to ensure effective handling of the product. Additional choppers in the mixing drum break up agglomerated material and permit systematic granulation during the mixing process.

The result is a continuous ‘all-in-one’ process. This means all process phases of MCP production can be performed in a single machine. Other units and process steps are no longer necessary. Moreover, the mixer ensures great stability and fewer cleaning intervals. A special wear protection treatment shields mixing tools and shovel arms against the high mechanical and corrosive stress caused by contact with the mixture. www.loedige.de
 

Lödige has devised a system for production of MCP based on its type KM ploughshare mixer

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