Enhanced fluidized bed drying of potash powders

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Potash fertilizers provide one essential compound, potassium, for plant growth in agriculture. Drying is one key step in potash production, and fluidized beds have been used for drying processes in the potash industry owing to advantages such as ease of operation, low cost, and a small footprint. In the drying process, natural gas burned together with air is used to provide the hot fluidizing gas. The current operation of fluidized bed dryers in the potash industry is more of an art than a science due to limited knowledge and the scarcity of data in the literature. As a result, an excess amount of hot gas is usually used to ensure the final product quality. Improved understanding and optimization of the current operation of fluidized bed dryers is required to reduce the environmental footprint of this energy-intensive process. In collaboration with Mosaic, the proposed research aims to advance understanding of fluidized bed drying of potash powders and provide new knowledge to the participating industry with respect to how to efficiently operate fluidized beds and reduce operating costs associated with the drying process. The outcomes will be reduced environmental impact and enhanced economic competitiveness of the Canadian potash industry.After successful execution of the proposed project, at least two PhD students and 4 undergraduate research assistants (USRAs) will be trained and equipped with necessary skills and knowledge required to work for the participating potash industry or more broadly other industries such as petrochemical, food, pharmaceutical industries where fluidized beds have been intensively used.