An Introduction to Potash Cooling

This article was authored by:

Shane Le Capitaine
Thermal Processing Expert

Potash coolers are an important step in the potash manufacturing process. While a straightforward task, it is still a large undertaking that requires flexibility and expertise in order to finish with a better potash product overall.

Why Use a Potash Cooler

Potash coolers provide a number of advantages that translate to an improved potash product.

Benefits of Cooling Potash Include:

Increased Potash Process Efficiency

Adding a cooler to the manufacturing process offers facilities the ability to handle, bag, and store potash immediately, avoiding other time consuming cooling methods.

Reduced Potash Storage Issues

Cooling potash before bagging prevents issues such as sticking or caking during storage.

Enhanced Potash Granule Robustness

The process of cooling potash creates a more resilient final product that is less likely to wear down as granules come in contact with each other.

Options for Potash Coolers

Rotary coolers and fluid bed coolers are standard potash cooling equipment, with the choice between the two varying based on customer preference. In general, both options handle material gently and avoid attrition, key qualities in industrial cooling equipment. However, they each offer unique advantages to the potash cooling process.

Rotary Coolers

Rotary coolers are robust, long-lasting, and accept a wide range of feedstock when cooling potash. In general, a standard rotary cooler is much larger than a fluid bed cooler. Because of its greater size, a rotary cooler is able handle a higher material volume, making it an ideal choice for potash processing facilities running at a high throughput capacity.

The heavy-duty construction of a rotary cooler is especially suitable for handling a demanding material such as potash. As the drum rotates, flights within the cylinder lift the potash and shower the material through a counter-current air stream. This method, along with FEECO’s high-quality manufacturing capabilities, has been proven effective in the potash industry for years. While not as gentle as a fluid bed cooler, the tumbling within the drum benefits the material by further polishing the potash granule.

Fluid Bed Coolers

Fluid bed coolers are a modular, smaller potash cooling equipment option. These advantages make fluid bed coolers ideal solutions in facilities with limited space or potential operational growth.

Fluid bed coolers suspend potash in a stream of air or gas, efficiently cooling potash by exposing the entire material surface to air. This method also provides gentle material handling, preventing erosion and wear between potash granules.

Potash coolers add efficiency and quality to potash manufacturing, making industrial cooling equipment such as rotary coolers and fluid bed coolers an invaluable part of the potash industry.

FEECO custom manufactures potash cooling equipment that is dependable, flexible, and efficient. With a demonstrated understanding of the potash industry and its processing systems, our experience will help you create an optimal potash product. For more information on potash coolers, contact us today!

About the Author . . .


Shane Le Capitaine is a Process Sales Engineer and thermal processing and fertilizer production expert.

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