Agglomerated particulate lignosulfonate

Abstract

An agglomerated particulate lignosulfonate material may be made by introducing or forming lignosulfonate microparticles in a fluidized bed agglomerator, and introducing sufficient heated gas and lignosulfonate liquid in the agglomerator to convert the microparticles to lignosulfonate granules of enlarged size. The granules may have an average size of at least 0.1 mm, and may be used to make a dry-blended cement additive or oil well cement that may be dustless, easily poured and stored, and rapidly dissolved in water.

1 . A method for making a particulate material, which method comprises:
 a) introducing or forming microparticles comprising lignosulfonate in a fluidized bed agglomerator;   b) introducing heated gas and a liquid comprising lignosulfonate in the agglomerator; and   c) enlarging the microparticles to form lignosulfonate granules having higher density or slower moisture absorption than spray-dried powder made using the same liquid comprising lignosulfonate.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising introducing the liquid comprising lignosulfonate by spraying it onto the fluidized bed. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the heated gas is air at about 170 to about 250° C. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the bed has a bed temperature of about 60 to about 80° C. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising enlarging the microparticles to form lignosulfonate granules having an average size of about 0.1 to about 10 mm. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising enlarging the microparticles to form lignosulfonate granules having an average size of about 0.1 to about 2 mm. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising forming lignosulfonate granules having an uncompressed bulk density of about 550 to about 800 kg/m 3 . 
     
     
         8 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising enlarging the microparticles to form lignosulfonate granules having an average size of about 0.1 to about 1 mm. 
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the lignosulfonate granules contain less than 5 wt. % particles having a size less than 0.1 mm. 
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the lignosulfonate granules have higher density than spray-dried powder made using the same liquid comprising lignosulfonate. 
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the lignosulfonate granules have slower moisture absorption than spray-dried powder made using the same liquid comprising lignosulfonate. 
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the lignosulfonate granules comprise sodium lignosulfonate. 
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the lignosulfonate granules consist essentially of sodium lignosulfonate. 
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the lignosulfonate granules comprise calcium or magnesium lignosulfonate. 
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the lignosulfonate granules consist essentially of calcium or magnesium lignosulfonate. 
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the lignosulfonate granules are free-flowing and emit substantially no dust when poured. 
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising coating the lignosulfonate granules. 
     
     
         36 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the lignosulfonate granules further comprise a pigment dispersant. 
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the lignosulfonate granules further comprise an agricultural chemical. 
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the lignosulfonate granules further comprise an animal feed. 
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the lignosulfonate granules further comprise a biocide or preservative. 
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the lignosulfonate granules further comprise a polysaccharide.