Top takeaways from CRU Phosphates
A look back at presentation by Jill Caskey of Solex Thermal Science
Author: Jamie Zachary
For the first time in three years, the CRU Phosphates conference was recently back in-person – and Solex Thermal Science was there.
From March 7-9, 2022, the 14th edition of this signature event brought together phosphate industry plant operators, engineers and suppliers from around the world in a special hybrid event that took place in Tampa, Fl., as well as live streamed to a virtual platform.
Jill Caskey, North American-based Global Sales Director for Solex Thermal Science, was on hand for the three-day conference. At Booth #32, Caskey was available to answer questions delegates had about moving bed heat exchangers (MBHEs) that use vertical plate technology, in addition to their use in fertilizer cooling applications.
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Caskey was also among more than three dozen world-renowned experts who presented during CRU Phosphates. On Tuesday, March 8 at 3 p.m., Caskey took to the stage to discuss, "Advances in Environmentally Sustainable Operations," with focuses on opportunities for improved energy efficiency, emission reduction and water management.
We recently sat down with Caskey to get a few insights into what she hoped delegates took away from her presentation.
1. Carbon footprint
Caskey: Industries around the world are being held to higher environmental standards than ever before. While lightening your company’s carbon footprint was once considered a “soft” benefit, it’s now often a “hard” requirement to do business.
At CRU Phosphates, I touched on this topic by walking delegates through how MBHEs that use vertical plate technology provides a near-zero emission solution to cool bulk solids such as phosphate fertilizers. More specifically, I discussed how this proven technology is able to produce less than 0.42 kilograms of CO2 emissions per 1 kWh, which is eight times less than comparable direct-contact cooling technologies.
2. Energy efficiency
Caskey: The framework of what’s possible in industries such as fertilizer is evolving. Increased production and reduced energy consumption are not opposing forces anymore. At the cooling stage of most plants, it seems anything is possible now.
My presentation gpt into the weeds on how indirect cooling technology can maximize product output at less kWh/tonne. How much, you ask? We estimate it at approximately 0.4 kWh/tonne, compared with 4 to 5 kWh/tonne for direct-contact alternatives. This data is based on a system cooling 65 to 100 tph of fertilizer granules/prills.
3. Water stewardship
Caskey: I rounded out the presentation with a discussion on opportunities for improving water management. It’s no secret that water scarcity is a global concern. Sourcing clean, quality water in many regions is difficult. Because MBHEs that use vertical plate technology often rely on water as a heat transfer fluid, it’s important that it still aligns with operators’ pursuit of improved sustainability.
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Closed-loop circuits allow operators to create a self-contained system that does not draw on existing cooling water sources, while also regulating water quality and temperature. We’ve seen many examples where operators will fill these with clean water once and run on the same circulation for years due to zero losses.
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Missed CRU Phosphates 2022 and still want to learn more about how moving bed heat exchangers that use vertical plate technology to indirectly, and more efficiently, cool a wide range of fertilizer products? Email Jill Caskey directly at jill.caskey@solexthermal.com.
About the expert
Jill Caskey, Global Sales Director
Jill offers broad experience with many markets and application guidelines, including in-depth experience with fertilizer applications and equipment design. Contact Jill
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This entry was last updated on 2022-11-4