Heating Fertilizer
Granules & Prills
This page discusses our bulk solids heaters and how they apply to Urea as a fertilizer application. You will learn more about the heating process of Urea granules & prills.
Urea is produced from synthetic ammonia and carbon dioxide. It can be produced as prills and granules.
Urea is a chemical product which contains nitrogen; mainly used as a fertilizer. Of all nitrogenous fertilizers, Urea has the highest nitrogen content.
The ALPHA SERIES BULK SOLIDS HEATER is engineered specifically for heating the various productions of Urea including
- Prills
- Granules
Heating Process Summary
Cool Urea enters the inlet hopper in a slow and controlled manner. It then passes slowly downward between a series of vertical hollow heat exchange plates. Heat transfer media is then sent into the plate bank forcing condensation out of the Urea. The Urea then moves to the discharge feeder where it exits the bulk solids heater.
Entering The Bulk Solids Heater
As the urea enters the bulk solids heater, it passes slowly downward between a series of vertical hollow heat exchange plates. The movement is slow and controlled to prevent abrasion or degradation to the urea product as it enters the bulk solids heat exchanger.
Indirect Plate Heating
Heat transfer media, such as steam, hot water or thermal oil, flows through the plates to heat the Urea by conduction.
Indirect Plate Heater Exchanger
Our indirect plate heater exchanger does not use air in the heating process. This prevents emissions, dust, fines and odors; as well as using significantly less energy that those technologies that do use air.
These plates are configured to enable easy inspection and cleaning; also allowing individual plates to be isolated or replaced.
Mass Flow Discharge Feeder
The mass flow discharge feeder then creates uniform product velocity through the heater and regulates the flow rate of the Urea.
The mass flow discharge feeder design, combined with long residence times (usually 5 to 10 minutes) enables even temperature distribution as the Urea passes through the heat exchanger, producing remarkably stable and uniform final product temperatures.
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