The phosphate industry continues to gain attention as of late, as the world begins to approach peak phosphorus. With that, companies will increasingly be looking to improve upon their phosphate products and processing methods.
What follows is a basic overview of the phosphate processing equipment used in the production of animal feed and fertilizer products. Some equipment features may be specific to FEECO International.
Basic Requirements for Phosphate Processing Equipment
Phosphate processing equipment must be designed with the specific characteristics of phosphates in mind to reach an effective solution that will stand up to the rigors of processing phosphates and make the most out of this available resource.
Phosphate materials are often abrasive and corrosive, requiring special attention to equipment materials of construction and fabrication techniques to avoid excessive wear and even premature failure.
Phosphates are also prone to clumping in the presence of moisture, which can lead to production challenges, buildup in equipment, and an exacerbation of abrasive and corrosive wear.
Further, phosphate rock is a finite resource – one that is irreplaceable and grows more important by the day as sources decline, making efficient processing critical to maximizing the world’s available supply.
For these reasons, it is vital to work with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) well-versed in addressing the unique challenges phosphate processing equipment will face.
Key Phosphate Processing Equipment
Granulation Drums
Granulation drums are the centerpiece of most phosphoric fertilizer operations. This is where material is granulated after reaction.
Granulation drums are incredibly versatile and can therefore be used to process a wide array of materials. They are used frequently throughout the agriculture industry to create a variety of inorganic fertilizer products.
How Granulation Drums Work
In fertilizer production, granulation drums work by tumbling raw material in a rotating drum. As the material cools and solidifies, the tumbling action rounds it into granules. Tumbler flights can be added to increase material agitation and create the desired product characteristics.
Flexible and corrosion-resistant drum liners can be implemented to reduce or eliminate material build-up on drum walls, and decrease the potential for damage due to a corrosive material.
Pugmill Mixers
In the phosphates industry, pugmill mixers, also commonly known as paddle mixers or pug mills, are used in granular fertilizer production to mix the recycle with the new raw materials, and in animal feed production to thoroughly mix, react, and granulate feed ingredients.
How Pugmill Mixers Work
Pugmill mixers use a folding and kneading action to thoroughly mix materials. In granular fertilizer production, they make a homogeneous blend prior to entering the granulator. In animal feed production, they facilitate the reaction between components. The thorough mixing helps to ensure a uniform product.
Rotary Dryers
Rotary dryers are used prolifically throughout the phosphates industry, for drying phosphate rock, as well as for drying granular animal feeds and fertilizer products.
How Rotary Dryers Work
Rotary dryers work by cascading material in a rotating drum in the presence of a hot gas. Material lifters, or flights, lift the material, carry it over, and drop it through the hot gas stream in order to maximize heat transfer efficiency.
Rotary Coolers
The use of rotary coolers is typically used in fertilizer granulation. A cooler is commonly used after the drying step to cool material exiting the dryer.
Cooling helps to bring down material temperature so it is not too hot for subsequent handling, and it also helps to prevent caking issues during storage.
How Rotary Coolers Work
Much like rotary dryers, rotary coolers cascade material in a rotating drum. Instead of heated air, however, they utilize chilled or ambient air. Here again, flights are necessary to increase heat transfer efficiency.
Hammer Mills
Hammer mills are used for both fertilizer and animal feed granulation applications. Hammer mills are used for crushing oversize granules so they can be worked back into the process as recycle.
How Hammer Mills Work
Hammer mills use a spinning shaft affixed with hammers and/or chains to break down oversize product. Hammer mills produce maximum product in the size range of minus 4 mesh down to plus 20 mesh.
High-Speed Mixers
The high-speed mixer is specific to the FEECO approach to animal feed granulation and is the most efficient type of reactor/mixer in the marketplace today. The addition of a high-speed mixer to the pugmill mixer provides an improved reaction and a more uniform product.
How High-Speed Mixers Work
High-speed mixers are comprised of a vertical chamber, through which a shaft extends. The shaft is affixed with several paddles, and operates at 300-400 RPM to provide thorough mixing and initiate the reaction before material moves on to processing in the pugmill mixer.
Coating Drums
Coating drums are sometimes used in the production of MAP and DAP. Coating drums coat granules with a material that improves the end product in some way, typically by reducing dusting issues, or employing an anti-caking agent.
How Coating Drums Work
Similar to rotary granulators, coating drums consist of a rotating drum through which material is fed. The material tumbles through the drum, and a spray system releases the coating agent onto the material. Tumbler flights help to increase agitation, ensuring uniform results.
Rotary Kilns
Rotary kilns are similar to rotary dryers, but operate at much higher temperatures in order to cause a chemical reaction or phase change. In the phosphates industry, kilns are typically used to upgrade low-grade phosphate ore, or ore that would otherwise be considered contaminated.
How Rotary Kilns Work
Rotary kilns work by heating material to the temperature at which the desired reaction will take place, and holding it there until the reaction is complete.
A Trusted Partner for Phosphate Processing Equipment
While the equipment used in processing phosphates is well established, it requires careful attention to detail to yield equipment that will not only process phosphates efficiently, but that will also stand the test of time under demanding conditions.
FEECO has been working in the phosphates industry since 1951, providing the best in process solutions and custom phosphate processing equipment. From material testing and process development, to custom equipment and parts & service support, FEECO has all of your phosphate processing equipment needs covered. Contact us today to find out how we can assist your phosphate processing operation!