Potash

Experts in process design and material

processing for over 60 years.

DryingA Look at

Drying is a critical component in

potash processing, whether

potash is being processed via

compaction granulation, or

pelletization.

Benefits of

Drying Potash

Reduced Moisture: Drying reduces moisture, decreasing

the opportunity for potash to clump

during processing.

Less Attrition: Attrition occurs when rough granule

edges rub against each other,

breaking off into fines. Drying rounds

and polishes granules, lessening the

ability for attrition to occur.

Robust Granules: Drying flashes off moisture, creating a

hardened granule surface.

Drying in

Compaction

Compaction granulation is the most common method for turning

mined potash into a usable

fertilizer product.

Compaction relies on pressure to press

potash fines into a form, which is then

broken up into granules. This is carried out

using a roll compactor.

Compaction is a dry process, and

therefore does not always require a

drying step.

Compaction is a dry process, and

therefore does not always require a

drying step.

However, potash granules are

often wetted and dried to fill in

surface cracks on granules,

reducing the opportunity for

attrition.

Both rotary dryers and fluid bed dryers are a

suitable choice for this objective, with rotary

dryers being a more robust choice.

Drying in

Pelletization

Pelletization relies on the use of a binder

and disc pelletizer to roll potash fines into a

premium pellet product.

Because this process is a wet

process, a drying step is required.

Because this process is a wet

process, a drying step is required.

Again, both rotary dryers and fluid

bed dryers are suitable options.

Choosing A Potash Dryer:

Rotary Dryer or

Fluid Bed Dryer?

In drying potash, the choice often

comes down to a rotary dryer or

fluid bed dryer.

Rotary dryers are robust, and valued for their reliability,

high throughput capacities, and their ability

to accept variability in feedstock.

Fluid bed dryers have a smaller footprint than rotary dryers,

making them a good choice for small

processing facilities. However, they do not

accept variance in feedstock, which can

be a problem.

Considerations

In Drying Potash

Corrosion: Stainless steel is often used at the

front end of a rotary dryer in order

to prevent corrosion from potash’s

abrasive nature.

Clumping: Rotary dryers are often fit with

knocking systems to mitigate

clumping issues during drying.

Clumping: Rotary dryers are often fit with

knocking systems to mitigate

clumping issues during drying.

Screw conveyors can also be

used in this effort.

Conclusion:

Drying potash offers many benefits and

plays a vital role in creating a quality potash

product, whether the potash is being

processed via compaction granulation or

pelletization.

vFEECOhas been working with potash for over 60

years, providing testing, process design

and development, and manufacturing of

potash processing equipment, including

heavy-duty rotary dryers.

Want to learn more?Download our

Potash Processing

E-book.

Potash Processing E-book

Processing Techniques

Challenges

Material Characteristics

Maintenance

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