Method for producing tri-calcium phosphate

Abstract

A method for producing tri-calcium phosphate admixes water, hydrated lime, and phosphoric acid in a reaction vessel to form a tri-calcium phosphate slurry. The slurry is then placed in physical contact with heated air through a spray head to evaporate water from the slurry. The preferred embodiment of the method utilizes an agitated air dryer.

1 . A method of producing tri-calcium phosphate in marketable form from water, hydrated lime, phosphoric acid, and related ingredients comprising: 
 forming a slurry of approximately 72% water by weight and 28% tri-calcium phosphate by weight;    placing said slurry in contact with heated air produced by an agitated air system producing at least 1,300 pounds per hour of tri-calcium phosphate;    using negative air pressure within said agitated air system to move said slurry; and,    thereby producing tri-calcium phosphate in a dry form with no more than two per cent moisture content.    
     
     
         2 . The production method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 said agitated air system having an agitated air dryer with an inlet and an outlet and including a spray head located between said inlet and said outlet;    whereby said spray head directly applies said TCP slurry onto said dryer.    
     
     
         3 . The production method of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 said inlet having an air temperature of approximately 500° F. to approximately 700° F.; and,    said outlet having an air temperature of approximately 190° F. to approximately 210° F.    
     
     
         4 . A method of producing tri-calcium phosphate using water, hydrated lime, phosphoric acid, and related ingredients wherein the improvement comprises: 
 forming a slurry from the admixture of the water, hydrated lime, phosphoric acid and related ingredients within a vessel;    using an agitated air dryer to create a stream of heated air; and,    directing said slurry through a spray head in contact with a stream of heated air to evaporate water from said slurry;    whereby said method produces tri-calcium phosphate having a moisture content less than approximately ten per cent.    
     
     
         5 . The production method of  claim 4  further comprising: 
 splitting said tri-calcium phosphate produced by said method;    returning a portion of said tri-calcium phosphate into said slurry; and,    packaging the other portion of said tri-calcium phosphate for delivery.    
     
     
         6 . The production method of  claim 5  wherein said vessel is a dispersion drum.  
     
     
         7 . The production method of  claim 6  further comprising: 
 said dispersion drum having a paddle.    
     
     
         8 . A method of producing tri-calcium phosphate in marketable form from water, hydrated lime, phosphoric acid, and related ingredients comprising: 
 forming a slurry of approximately 72% water by weight and 28% tri-calcium phosphate by weight;    placing said slurry in contact with heated air produced by an agitated air system having an agitated air dryer with an inlet, an outlet, and a spray head located between said inlet and said outlet; and,    moving said slurry through said agitated air system using negative air pressure;    thereby producing tri-calcium phosphate in a dry form with no more than two per cent moisture content at a rate of at least 1,300 pounds per hour.    
     
     
         9 . The production method of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 said spray head directly applies said TCP slurry onto said dryer.