Uwe Altermann

Sick AG , Germany

• Conference: Particulate Monitoring
• Presentation: Dust Monitoring in Fertilizer plant
• Presentation Time: Wednesday 12:10

Biography:

I studied in Germany and I am a graduated engineer in electrical engineering.
I started my carrer as a research assistant in an mechanical engineering company. Later , I worked there as a department manager in mechanical design.
In 2005, I switched to product management for Siemens Building Technology.
I've with SICK since 2008, now as Head of Product Management Particle Analyzers.

Short description about presentation:

Fertilizers are inorganic bulk chemicals for use in agriculture, which deliver valuable nutrients for all types of crops. The fertilizer market is profiting from the steady growth of the world population. However, the production volume must be adjusted to local demand and the right product mixture must be offered with the optimal quality. Ammonia, phosphates and potassium salts form the basis for fertilizer. It also requires intermediate products such as nitric acid, sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid. The corrosive and highly reactive properties of these substances pose a great challenge for all system parts.

Many kinds of dust pose ignition risks, but particulates that come from a volatile substrate, as in the case of fertilizer, are especially dangerous. Dust particulates have a large surface area, creating great potential to react to oxidation or flashing. Moreover, the finer the particulates, the more readily they react to the environment, which can lead to a rapid expansion of the gases that surround the particulates. This expansion can ultimately create what is called a flame front—the zone where the chemical reaction of oxidation achieves ignition and explode.

Stopping the flame front before it can occur requires serious air quality control measures. With fertilizer dust, however, the need for a static-reducing dust-collection system becomes a primary concern. Reducing the dust in a static-free environment not only eliminates the potential for dust combustion, but it creates a healthier environment for workers. SICK offers a range of optimal solutions for process, emission & Dust applications.

Dust measurement in Fertilizers severely differ from combustion dust measurements
Challenges in Dust Measurement in fertilizer Granulation process: -

• Dust is with high moisture level
• Dust is highly reactive with SALT & Moisture present in Process.
• The Salt present in process is Highly Hygroscopic, which leads to heavy deposition in measuring system.

With all these challenges In-situ Duct measurement is not an Ideal solution for dust measurement in Wet gases. In cross stack installation SALT deposition can lead to wrong Dust reading. To overcome these challenges SICK has developed FEW 200DH WB.This Dust monitor used Water flush instead of Air flush. The Ammonium Nitrate has very high water solubility. With the help of water back purge facility we can blown off ammonium nitrate and formed crystals into the duct.