Influence of the pressing temperature of halurgic potassium chloride on the operating conditions of the granulation plants

Abstract

The regularities of the influence of the pressing temperature in the roll compactors of halurgic fine-grained potassium chloride on the performance of the granulation process and the physical and mechanical properties of the granulate under the conditions of the Sylvinite Processing Plant of JSC “Belaruskali” are determined. It is shown that an increase in the pressing temperature from 120 °C to 142 °C significantly enhances the intensity of the processes of particles recrystallization and melt formation at the particles’ contact points in the zone of plastic deformation, which provides greater strength of interparticle contact bonds due to the formation of additional bonds of the crystallization type. At the same time, the particle size distribution of the granulate practically does not change. Only a slight decrease in the dynamic strength of the granulate was revealed as a result of a small increase in the number of cavities and cracks in the granules, which is not critical for obtaining a high-quality finished product. In general, an increase in the pressing temperature of halurgic fine-grained potassium chloride up to 140–145 °C enables to enhance the capacity of granulation plants up to 130 % without reconstruction of existing production lines while maintaining the high strength and granulometric characteristics of finished products. At the same time, the switch to higher pressing temperatures requires solving the problem of intensive salt caking on the working surfaces of the rolls of roll compactors based on the technical modernization of the existing compacting plants, taking into account the recommendations developed.