Sand Dryer Demand Likely to Grow Amidst Shortage

This article was authored by:

Carrie Carlson
Technical Writer

The consumption of sand falls second only to water in terms of natural resources, a usage trend that is becoming a problem. While anyone who has seen a desert might find it hard to believe, a shortage of sand has been quietly taking hold of markets around the world, and experts are concerned that this material we rely on so heavily is running out. 

The following looks at how the sand shortage came about and how sand dryer demand (as well as demand for bulk material handling equipment) is likely to rise in response.

What Caused the Sand Shortage?

Even though sand is all around us, the problem is that not all sand is the same. Most industrial applications rely on silica sands produced from the mineral quartz. Beach sand is not an appropriate substitute in many cases, as it has been produced by the weathering of marine life and is therefore predominantly made up of calcium carbonate, not silica. 

Each application of sand also requires its own set of exacting specifications in everything from moisture content to particle shape, making many sources of sand unsuitable. The two industries using the most sand – construction and glass – are no exception, and are largely being blamed for the impending scarcity. 

Construction

The most prominent driver behind the shortage is sand’s use in the construction industry, and more specifically, its use in concrete. 

Historian Vaclav Smil famously captured the staggering use of concrete in his book, Making the Modern World: Materials and Dematerialization, where he writes that between 2011 and 2013, China used more cement (a key ingredient in concrete) than the US used during the entire 20th century.²  That’s right: an entire century’s worth of cement used in just three years.

China is far from done building, and they’re not the only ones who rely on concrete; concrete has been a favored building material since it was invented, and rapidly sprawling urbanization is constantly pushing demand for it. 

Concrete producers require sand that has been weathered by water and not wind, making river beds prime sand-mining zones. Unlike desert sand, which is spherical in shape (because it is weathered by wind), sand weathered by water has jagged edges, making its texture ideal for sticking together in concrete and promoting the surface traction desirable in roads.

Glass

Sand is also the primary ingredient in glass. Increased construction activities, the growing demand for solar panels, and advances in glass properties that have given way to rising applications, have made glass a hot commodity. The push for solar panels alone has caused an annual increase in prices for sand-making glass of 5-10%.¹

Like the concrete industry, the glass industry also has rigid requirements for the sand they utilize. Between concrete and glass (not to mention the myriad of other uses for silica sand), the growing demand for quality sand has increased prices so significantly, that new markets are opening, because the prices have risen enough to support an economic business model despite high shipping costs.¹

Many in the industry have declared that sand extraction is now a $70 billion industry, and with widespread under-reporting, experts say estimates on sand consumption are likely far below the reality. High-quality sand has become so sought after, that a black market, complete with “sand mafias,” has even developed around exploiting it.

How the Shortage Influences Sand Dryer Demand

The effects that the increasing pressure on quality sand sources could have are hard to predict, but a few impacts likely to occur include: 

Sand Dryer Demand to Rise

As producers look to process more sand, demand for sand dryers, which play an essential role in bringing product to market, is likely to rise; drying plays a pivotal role in most sand mining and processing operations.

At the same time, as the value for sand goes up, the pressure to maximize available resources by washing away contaminants (a process that then requires drying) becomes increasingly important.

Drying Efficiency to Be a Focus

Similarly, producers will also likely be looking to maximize dryer efficiency to ensure product integrity and minimize off-spec product. Fortunately, rotary dryers for sand have advanced in recent years in response to the frac sand boom, resulting in engineered and robust systems designed to maximize efficiency and maintain product integrity.

Improved Sand Handling Systems

Along the same lines, bulk material handling systems designed to minimize spillage from conveyors are also likely to see a rise as producers look to all but eliminate fugitive material and product waste at sand mines and processing plants. 

A Search for Alternatives

In addition to the demand for improved processing and handling, a search for alternatives to sand is also likely in the cards. The search for silica sand substitutes is already underway, with scientists examining numerous potential materials. 

Many of the materials being investigated are aimed at beneficial reuse opportunities, or the valorization of waste streams

An alternative would be a welcome reprieve for other reasons as well, mitigating many of the social and environmental issues associated with sand mining.  

With various agglomeration, drying, and high-temperature (rotary kiln) equipment available for testing at both batch and pilot scale, the FEECO Innovation Center has long been, and continues to be, a resource for those looking to develop processes around beneficial reuse of waste materials.

Conclusion

Demand for high-quality sand from the construction and glass industries, as well as others, has been putting a strain on natural sand resources, and many anticipate that a very real shortage is on the horizon. As scientists look for alternative materials, efficiently processing and handling sand will become a critical aspect for sand miners moving forward. 

FEECO is a leading supplier of custom handling equipment and sand dryers for processing and handling industrial sand products. In addition, our unique material testing facility, the Innovation Center, can assist in developing efficient sand drying processes, as well as bringing beneficial reuse opportunities to life. For more information on our sand processing and handling capabilities, contact us today! 

 

About the Author . . .


Carrie Carlson is a technical writer and visual designer.

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