Combating corrosion during potash cooling
The path to profitability for potash producers starts with the mineral deposit, followed by choosing the right mining and process equipment to extract, process, and refine the mineral into a valuable commodity product.
Harsh processing conditions are common to these facilities, which tests the lifespans of all equipment in the facility. The corrosive nature of this processed material, specifically, has the potential to erode producers’ pockets by threatening the effectiveness and reliability of their facilities’ equipment.
In the 2022 issue of Potash Producer magazine, Igor Makarenko, Global Director, Fertilizer, discusses how, like many other areas of a potash processing facility, the challenges associated with corrosion are acutely felt at the product cooling stage, directly prior to storage, packaging, and transport.
He points to the benefits of moving bed heat exchangers (MBHEs) that use vertical plate technology in giving producers an effective solution to indirectly cool their product to consistent outlet temperatures without facing traditional corrosion challenges or cumbersome maintenance schedules.
In the article, Makarenko provides further details of how the technology accomplishes this — namely, through stainless-steel fabrication standards and material selection adequacy that have been proven over the past several decades to better withstand the high temperatures and corrosive environments associated with potash processing.
Learn more by downloading a pdf version of the full story in Potash Producer magazine.
This entry was last updated on 2022-7-26
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