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Summary
Via its Siwertell brand, Cargotec has developed a range of ship unloaders and loaders based on a unique screw conveyor technology that in combination with belt conveyors and aeroslides can handle almost every bulk cargo, including fertilizers and associated raw materials. The latest order for a Siwertell involves the provision of a phosphate rock and sulphur unloading facility at IFFCO's Paradeep fertilizer complex.Abstract
Cargotec Corporation has announced that it has received an order from Indian Farmers Fertiliser Co-operative (IFFCO) for a Siwertell ST790-D ship unloader that will be installed at its Paradeep facility. The enclosed screw-type unloader will be used for discharging phosphate rock and sulphur at a maximum rate of 1,800 t/h. Anders Paulsson, Cargotec’s sales manager, bulk handling, said: “IFFCO wanted a totally enclosed system for both environmental and safety reasons. The company specified a screw-type unloader for high efficiency and chose a Siwertell system from Cargotec because we have by far the most knowledge and experience of this technology: the first Siwertell system designated for sulphur was delivered in 1980. Of the four main types of continuous unloaders – screw, pneumatic, chain and bucket chain – only the Siwertell screw-type has been demonstrated to solve the three main problems caused by unloading sulphur: a high explosion risk, extreme corrosion and stringent regulations for environmental protection.”
Summary
We profile the products, services and expertise offered by this leading compounding, extrusion and materials handling company.Abstract
From its bases in Stuttgart and Weingarten, Germany, Coperion GmbH provides worldwide leadership in the compounding, extrusion and materials handling sectors, and has proved an excellent partner for both global corporations and smaller enterprises in the plastics, chemicals, aluminium, food, minerals and fertilizers industries. As an integrated technology provider, Coperion is able to harness a considerable body of expertise to undertake individual solutions for compounding technology and bulk material handling.
Summary
Blending and bagging operators around the world have turned to European Machine Trading (EMT) of the Netherlands for innovative solutions to their requirements. EMT's achievements in these fields have been duly recognised at a recent trade fair.Abstract
At the Victam trade fair in Cologne, Germany, EMT – European Machine Trading – received the prize for innovation for its new Triple Portable Container demountable bulk bag filling machine. Working on the principle that the machine comes to the product that needs to be bagged, rather than vice versa, the system provides significant savings in transport and handling costs, while the risk of damage to the product being handled is vastly reduced.
Summary
How the papers at the recent meeting in Doha, Qatar addressed the theme of the recent Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association's second annual fertilizer meeting.Abstract
Delegates attending the 2nd Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association (GPCA) fertilizer conference were welcomed by Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, GPCA Secretary General. The conference is now an annual event and he welcomed the expanding participation, a recognition of the prestige of the event. Since GPCA was launched in 2006, the Association has experienced fast growth and now has a total of 175 member companies. GPCA’s success in this respect emphasises the emergence of the Arab Gulf as a major global fertilizer hub, as producers throughout the region show a consistent and exponential growth pattern.
Summary
Continuing advances with controlled-release fertilizers, urease inhibitors and other speciality products that boost plants' nutrient uptake.Abstract
The fertilizer industry recognises the need to develop its products continuously, specifically to increase the efficiency of their use (especially in the case of nitrogen fertilizers) and to minimise possible adverse environmental impacts. Increasing the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers is not easy, because plants take up N normally as nitrate or ammonium ions, through their roots from the soil solution. (Slow- and Controlled-Release and Stabilised Fertilizers: An Option for Enhancing Nutrient Use Efficiency in Agriculture, M.E. Trenkel, IFA [2010 edition].) However, ammonium-N, unlike nitrate-N, can be retained on soil constituents so that soil and plants compete for ammonium-N, either already available in the soil or applied. This competition for N, with the exception of nitrate-N, is the main problem when it is added as a mineral fertilizer for plant nutrition. Only a certain proportion of the N is taken up or can be taken up and used by the growing plants. Fig.1 shows the characteristic path that inputs of nitrogen follow in the soil.
Summary
The Russian fertilizer producer OJSC Uralchem has enjoyed a successful 2011. On a recent visit to London, CEO Dmitry Konyaev took time to explain the company's strategy as it builds on its success.Abstract
Uralchem enjoyed a very good 2011. For the nine months to 30 September, the Russian fertilizers and chemicals group reported a 6% increase in output, to 3.82 million tonnes compared with the same period in 2010. Ammonium nitrate and its derivatives account for most of this production, at 2.03 million tonnes, while significant volumes of ammonia (402,730 tonnes), NPK fertilizers (445,600 tonnes), urea (364,750 tonnes) and MAP (357,200 tonnes) were also produced, all at higher levels compared with the same period in the previous year. (Table 1)
Summary
We review the resource-rich North African country's fertilizer industry, which has yet to make a wider impact in international markets. New world-scale capacity has been mooted, some of which is now coming on stream, but Algeria remains an example of only partially fulfilled potential.Abstract
Algeria in land area terms is the largest country in Africa and in the Arab World, occupying a land mass of 2.4 million km2. It is also the tenth largest country in the world. The fossil fuels sector is the backbone of Algeria’s economy, accounting for 30% of GDP and over 95% of export earnings. Proven petroleum reserves total 11.8 billion barrels (1.88 billion m3), while proven natural gas reserves total 4.5 trillion m3, the tenth largest in the world.
Summary
New capacity at the Ghor El-Safi operation embraces the latest cold crystallisation technology.Abstract
In October 2010, Arab Potash Company (APC) extended the capacity at its processing plant at Ghor El-Safi. Jordan, bringing on stream a new 500,000 t/a potassium chloride train that uses cold crystallisation technology. The project has raised APC’s total capacity at the site to 2.4 million t/a. The project constitutes the first phase of a two-phase expansion of the Safi facility. The expansion cost an estimated $500 million and involved the optimisation of the plant’s operations with modifications to the solar ponds systems and the construction of a new warehouse. The second phase of the expansion will eventually raise capacity to 3 million t/a.
Summary
Fibreglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) is widely used in sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid plants, offering excellent resistance to corrosion in the piping, ducting tanks and scrubber facilities, providing also a lower-cost alternative to stainless steel. We examine the design, engineering, fabrication and installation of FRP.Abstract
With more than a half-century of success in numerous aggressive industrial environments, fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP – also known as glass reinforced plastic, or GRP) has demonstrated a wide range of capabilities in the chemical processing sector. The requirements for corrosion resistance are uniquely demanding in sulphuric and phosphoric acid plants, especially in the piping, ducting, tanks and scrubber equipment.
Summary
We examine the uses and production of high-concentration superphosphoric acid (SPA).Abstract
As defined by The Fertilizer Encyclopedia (V. Gowaniker, Norman Borlaug et al. [2009]), superphosphoric acid (SPA) is a mixture of orthophosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acid. The P2O5 content can vary from 55% to 72% in the wet process (green acid). The polyphosphoric acid generally has the formula Hn+2PnO3n+1. SPA production involves the initial removal of physical (free) water from the weaker acid, followed by the removal of the chemically-bound water.