A model system was designed and test  trials of physical and mechanical characteristics of small – crystalline and granular flotation potassium chloride are studied. This model system allows to design storage and transportation  of fertilizers in bulk in railway wagons and it has the same static and vibrational load as real system. The effect of temperature and relative humidity of the air on hygroscopy of small – crystalline and granular КСl were studied. Furthermore the influence of static load, and time length  of compression process of fertilizing layer and parameters of static and vibrational load on composition of КСl granules were investigated. It was experimentally proved that the humidity increase (0,5 %) of granular КСl and the  increase of static load and time length  of compression process of product during transportation in bulk lead to increase of compaction degree and caking ability of product. Research of the influence of high static load (10-30 kg/sm2) and time length of compression process of fertilizing layer on caking ability and degree of compaction show that small – grained KCl has smaller degree of compaction and considerably higher value of caking ability in comparison with granular KCl.

Keywords: Potash fertilizers, storage and transportation, hygroscopy, caking ability, degree of compaction, commodity characteristics of fertilizers

The express-method of estimate of the rate of wetting  of pulverulent powder of KCl is developed. The wettability of potassium chloride powder containing the admixtures of flotoreagents by solutions of different binders is studied.

Keywords: wettability, flotoreagent, binder, transformation, muriatic amine, sodium metasilicate