1954 Press Photo "Shot Towers" of Lion Oil Company Make Pelleted Fertilizer

Pelleted ammonium nitrate made in these "shot towers" at the Barton plant. Set aside from the rest of the operations, this part of the plant produces the material used both as a direct fertilizer and as the nitrogen source in mixed fertilizers. Liquid ammonium nitrate is sprayed from the top of the 208-foot towers to fall against an updraft of conditioned air. The spherical pellets which form are dried, cooled and coated with a dusting of clay before being bagged in moisture-proof bags.

Photo is dated 1954.

Photo measures 8 x 10.25 inches.