in a downstream drier to a residual moisture content of less than 0 05 wt the dry powder is then compacted between compacting rolls under high pressure and the semi plastic strip obtained is broken up and the pellets screen fractionated this multi stage drying and shaping process is very energy intensive and requires corresponding investment and maintenance intensive plant in addition a considerable amount of dust arises which has to be reliably separated off and recycled in the process according to ep a 0 197 216 the two stage drying of the previously described process is followed by briquetting of the dry cyanide any dust fractions adhering to the surface being removed by means of a device for post treating the briquet this process is also technically very complex and has similar energy requirements to the process in u s pat no 3 615 176 another again very complex process for producing sodium cyanide pellets is disclosed in cn 1172071 a after the neutralisation reaction sodium cyanide dihydrate is crystallised out at low temperature u2212 6 to u2212 12 u00b0 c the crystals are melted mixed with previously dried pellets and then pelletised the pellets are dried by means of microwave drying to a residual moisture level of less than 0 5 wt the process requires a large amount of energy because approx 0 7 t of water have to be evaporated.