Maximizing fertilizer technologies through preventative maintenance
As fertilizer producers look to meet rising global demand for their products, the need for reliable and cost-efficient operations become even more crucial. Yet at the same time, these critical process-based solutions that create the backbone to these operations are frequently subjected to significant stresses such as handling abrasive and/or corrosive substances or operating under extreme operating conditions that lead to increased wear.
With these challenges in mind, it is essential to keep process equipment in peak working condition, says Warren Chung of Solex Thermal Science.
In the September 2024 issue of World Fertilizer magazine, Chung argues it is not just a best practice but a necessity for fertilizer producers to implement robust preventative maintenance programs, as well as ensure installed solutions are operating at the designed conditions.
"Take the final product cooling stage in the fertilizer production process as an example," he writes. "It represents one of the last opportunities to get it right, whether that’s optimizing operational efficiencies, ensuring a high-quality final product or improving safety measures.
It’s common to see highly engineered process solutions still operational decades later with minimal capital investment along the way. Yet this requires operators to execute disciplined operational practices and undertake regular preventative maintenance initiatives."
In the article, Chung zeros in on moving bed heat exchange (MBHE) technology that's commonly used in many fertilizer operations worldwide. He examines the common mistakes that leads to premature failure with MBHEs, as well as offers tips on how to keep these solutions operating at peak performance.
This entry was tagged Cooling, and last updated on 2024-9-10
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