Method of manufacturing a granular mineral composition

A method for using a controlled exothermic granulation reaction to form mineral granules, the method comprising:

• introducing water into reaction vessel;
• dissolving at least one organic acid into the water to formo an aqueous edible acid solution in the reaction vessel;
• introducing a first portion of a total amount of a mineral base into the reaction vessel to form a first mixture in which the first portion of the mineral base reacts exothermically with a first portion of the edible acid solution to form a salt and generate heat within the reaction vessel, wherein the mineral base is selected from the group consisting of a mineral hydroxide, mineral oxide, mineral carbonate, and combinations thereof;
• mixing the first mixture at a temperature below about 100° C.;
• introducing a last portion of the total amount of the mineral base into the reaction vessel to form a final mixture in which the last portion of the mineral base reacts exothermically with a last portion of the edible acid solution to form additional salt, generate additional heat within the reaction vessel, and increase solids concentration relative to the solvent;
• and
• mixing the final mixture at a temperature below about 100° C. so as to form granules of the salt formed by mixing the mineral base and edible acid having a dimension of at least about 40 microns, and to remove liquid water from the granules.

A method for using a controlled exothermic granulation reaction to form mineral granules, the method comprising:

• introducing water into reaction vessel;
• dissolving malic acid and citric acid into the water to form a mixed acid solution in the reaction vessel;
• introducing a first portion of a total amount of a mineral base into the reaction vessel to form a first mixture in which the first portion of the mineral base reacts exothermically with a first portion of the mixed acid solution to form a salt and generate heat within the reaction vessel, the mineral base being at least one of potassium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium oxide, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, potassium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, or calcium carbonate;
• mixing the first mixture at a first temperature;
• introducing a second portion of a total amount of the mineral base into the reaction vessel to form a second mixture in which the second portion of the mineral base reacts exothermically with a second portion of the mixed acid solution to form additional salt, generate additional heat within the reaction vessel, and increase concentration of solids relative to the solvent;
• mixing the second mixture at a second temperature above the first temperature;
• introducing a last portion of the total amount of the mineral base into the reaction vessel by bulk addition to form a final mixture in which the last portion of the mineral base reacts exothermically with a last portion of the mixed acid solution to form more salt, further generate heat within the reaction vessel, and further increase concentration of solids relative to the solvent;
• and
• mixing the final mixture at a final temperature so as to form granules of the salt formed by mixing the mineral base, malic acid and citric acid having a desired dimension and to remove free liquid water from the granules.