Modular batch plant for granular products

A method of forming a portable processing plant for processing a flow of granular material at an assembly location, the method comprising:

• stacking a plurality of portable processing modules vertically to allow for a vertically downward progression of the granular material from one portable processing module to the next, each portable processing module including a self-supporting independent frame structure, each portable processing module having at least one processing component affixed to the self-supporting independent frame structure while stacking the plurality of portable processing modules;
• when stacked, the self-supporting independent frame structures of the plurality of portable processing modules combine to define a structural skeleton of the portable processing plant, wherein each self-supporting independent frame structure is removable from the structural skeleton substantially fully assembled while the at least one processing component carried by the self-supporting independent frame structure remains affixed thereto;
• wherein the plurality of portable processing modules includes:
• a first separation unit including a processing component in the form of at least one separation mechanism for separating the flow of granular material into at least a first separated flow of granular material and a second separated flow of granular material, the second separated flow of granular material having a different characteristic than the first separated flow of granular material;
• a second separation unit including a processing component in the form of at leak one separation mechanism for separating the flow of granular material into at least a third separated flow of granular material and a fourth separated flow of granular material, the third and fourth flows of granular material having a different characteristic than the first and second separated flows of granular material;
• a hopper unit including a processing component in the form of first, second, third, and fourth hoppers for holding granular material;
• the first separation unit being vertically above and supported by the second separation unit, the first and second separation units being vertically above and supported by the hopper unit, when the structural skeleton is assembled and formed by the self-supporting independent frame structures of the first and second separation units and the hopper unit;
• and
• providing a substantially permanent base pad;
• and
• wherein the step of stacking includes stacking the plurality of portable processing modules vertically on the base pad.