MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF NPK

2.1 DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCTION PROCESSES

2.1.1 Granulation with a Pipe Reactor System

This process works with a classical granulation loop but incorporates

one or two pipereactors. One pipe reactor is fitted in the granulator and another
may be used in the dryer.

Phosphoric acid or a mixture of phosphoric and sulphuric acids is

neutralised in the pipe reactors with gaseous or liquid ammonia. A wide range
of grades,including ammonium phosphates, can be produced. The process is
flexible and easy to operate and the pipe reactors can be operated with a high
turn-down ratio.

2.1.2 Granulation and drying section

The required solid raw materials such as potassium chloride, potassium
sulphate, superphosphate, secondary nutrients, micronutrients and filler are
metered and fed into the granulator together with the recycle.
Concentrated ammonium nitrate solution may be added directly into
the granulator and ammoniation rates in the pipe reactor vary according to the
product. Further ammoniation may be carried out in the granulator.
A pipe reactor fitted in the dryer is fed with phosphoric acid and
ammonia. The N/P mol ratio is 1.00 (essentially producing mono-ammonium
phosphate). The MAP produced consists of very fine particles and passes via the
cyclones and screens back to the granulation drum. The granules obtained are
dried in a drying section using a heated air stream.
2.1.3 Screening, crushing, cooling and coating
The dry granules are screened into three fractions. The over-size is
removed and returned via the crusher to the granulator, together with the fines.
The product-sized fraction is removed with the possibility of returning part of this
fraction to the granulator to stabilise the recycle loop.
Finally the on-spec fraction is cooled in classical cooling equipment
such as a fluidised bed cooler or a cooling drum.
The cooled product is fed into a coating drum where a surface
coating is applied to prevent caking.

2.1.4 Gas scrubbing and dust removal

Gases from the granulator and the dryer are scrubbed in venturi
scrubbers with recirculating ammonium phosphate or ammonium sulpho-
phosphate solution. Make-up phosphoric and/or sulphuric acid is/are added for
pH control if necessary. The scrubber liquor which is being recycled is fed to the
pipe reactor in the granulator.
Finally, the gases are vented through cyclonic columns irrigated
with an acidic solution. The gases coming from the dryer are de-dusted in high
efficiency cyclones to remove the majority of the dust before scrubbing. The air
coming from the cooling equipment is generally recycled as secondary air to the
dryer after de-dusting. General de-dusting equipment is installed in the entire
plant.
Granulation with a Pipe Reactor.
2.2 Drum Granulation with Ammoniation
This process consists of a classical granulation loop using mainly solid
raw materials. Ammonium nitrate solution and/or steam is/are fed into the
granulator. The process is very flexible, and is able to produce a broad spectrum
of grades including products with alow nitrogen content.
2.2.1 Granulation and drying
The required solid raw materials such as potassium chloride,
potassium sulphate, superphosphates, ammonium phosphates, secondary
nutrients, micronutrients and filler are metered and fed into the granulator
together with the recycle. Ammonium nitrate solution is sprayed directly into the
granulator and sulphuric acid may be fed into the granulator followed by
ammoniation.
2.2.2 Screening, crushing, cooling and coating
The dry granules are screened into three fractions and the over-size is
removed and returned via the crusher to the granulator together with the fines.
The product-sized fraction is removed with the possibility of returning part of this
fraction to the granulator to stabilise the recycle loop. Finally, the on-spec fraction
is cooled in classical cooling equipment such as a fluidised bed cooler or a cooling
drum and the cooled product is fed into a coating drum where a surface coating
is applied to prevent caking.
2.2.3 Gas scrubbing and dust removal
Gases from the granulator and dryers are scrubbed in venturi
scrubbers with recirculating ammonium phosphate or ammonium sulpho-
phosphate solution. Makeup phosphoric and/or sulphuric acid is/are added for pH
control if necessary. The scrubber liquor whichis being recycled is fed into the
granulation drum.The gases coming from the dryer are de-dusted in high
efficiency cyclones to remove the majority of the dust before scrubbing.General
de-dusting equipment is installed in the entire plant.
Drum Granulation with Ammoniation.
2.3 Mixed Acid Process with Phosphate Rock Digestion

This process is very flexible and produces grades with varying degrees of
phosphate water solubility. The process is able to use cheap raw materials such
as phosphate rock.

2.3.1 Phosphate rock digestion and ammoniation

This type of process is characterised by the way the phosphates, or
at least a part of them, are made “available” (soluble). The first step of the process
is the digestion of phosphate rock with nitric acid resulting in a solution of
phosphoric acid and calcium nitrate. Acid gases such as oxides of nitrogen and
fluorine compounds are formed during the digestion, depending on the type of
phosphate rock.
Other raw materials such as phosphoric, sulphuric and nitric acids or
AN solution are added after the digestion, which is an exothermic process. The
acid slurry is ammoniated with gaseous ammonia and after neutralisation, other
components such as ammonium phosphates, superphosphates, ammonium
sulphate and compounds containing potassium and magnesium, are added. Most
of these materials may also be added before or during neutralisation but if the raw
material contains chloride the pH of the slurry should be 5 – 6 to avoid the
production of hydrogen chloride.
The design of the reactor battery can vary from a few large reactors to
many, smaller reactors. Common for all the designs of the reactor battery is that
the row of reactors ends with a buffer tank. Depending on the type of raw
material, the amount of gas scrubber liquid to be recycled and the degree of
ammoniation, the water content of the slurry in the buffer tank can vary between
5% and 30% and the temperature from 100°C to 140°C.
2.3.2 Granulation, drying, screening, crushing, cooling and coating
In principle, the dry section can be divided into a granulation part, a
drying part, a screening/crushing part, a cooling part and a coating part.
The granulation can be performed by different equipment such as
drum, blunger andSpherodiser. The Spherodiser granulation also incorporates the
drying operation.
A broad spectrum of grades can be produced by these processes, but
NPK fertilizers with a very low content of nitrogen are not convenient for the
spherodiser process because in such cases a sprayable slurry will demand an
unrealistic, high content of water.
In all the granulation processes mentioned above the off-spec fraction
from the screening/crushing operation is recycled to the granulation equipment.
All granulation processes, except the spherodiser process, require a drying
operation after the granulation. This drying is normally carried out in a drying
drum.
The fertilizer may be cooled in a cooling drum or in a fluidised bed
cooler. The coating can be a combination consisting of a treatment with an
organic agent and an inorganic powder. Both additions can be made in one drum.
2.3.3 Gas scrubbing and dust removal
2.3.3.1 Reactor gases
The gases from the digestion reactors, where phosphate rock is digested in nitric
acid, are treated separately in a spray tower scrubber to recover NOx and fluorine
compounds. The pH is adjusted by the addition of ammonia.
The ammoniation reactor gases are scrubbed in several stages of counter-current
scrubbing. The pH is adjusted to the most efficient scrubbing condition, pH 3-4,
with a mixture of HNO3 and/or H2SO4. The first scrubbing stage ensures a
saturation of the gases; the second high pressure venturi stage is designed to
remove aerosols. The subsequent stages
make the recovery efficiency high and the final stage operates with the cleanest
scrubbing liquid. A droplet separator is installed in the stack or immediately
before it.
2.3.3.2 Drying gases
The gases from the dryer (granulator/dryer) are led through cyclones before
entering the scrubber. The scrubber consists of a variable throat venturi with
subsequent two-stage scrubbing. The last stage should be operated with the
cleanest liquid. A part of the liquor, after thecirculation, goes to a settler for the
separation of solids. The thickened part is fed to the reactors and the overflow
returned. The pH is adjusted with acids to pH 3-4.
2.3.3.3 Cooling gases
The cooler uses ambient air or cooled and conditioned air. The warm air from the
cooler is recycled to the inlet of the dryer.
2.3.3.4 General de-dusting
Screens, crushers and conveyor discharge points are de-dusted and the de-dusting
air is cleaned in a bag filter before recycling or discharge into the atmosphere.
Mixed Acid Process with Rock Digestion.
3. DESCRIPTION OF STORAGE AND TRANSFER EQUIPMENT

3.1 Solid Raw Materials

The main solid raw materials are potash and phosphate rock. These raw
materials are transported to the production site by ships, trains or lorries.
3.1.1 Ship unloading
Grab cranes are traditionally used for the unloading of ships and with this
method there is the risk that some fine material may spread to the environment
in the harbour area. It is recommended that closed unloading methods (such as
screw or pneumatic ship unloading machines) be used in new plants to avoid
impact on the environment.
3.1.2 Unloading of rail waggons or lorries
The raw materials are tipped from waggons and lorries into hoppers which feed
the materials to conveyors. The roads and the area near the unloading are
asphalted and sloped so that the rainwater with nutrients flows to the pumping
sump which is connected to the recycle system of the NPK plant.
3.1.3 Conveyors
Belt conveyors are totally enclosed in tunnels.
3.1.4 Storage
Raw materials are stored in closed buildings or silos. Materials in storage are
handled by
payloader, scraper or crane.
3.2 Products
Products are granulated fertilizers of different grades.
3.2.1 Conveyors
Belt conveyors are placed in closed tunnels.
3.2.2 Bulk storage
The storage of bulk product is described in the EFMA handbook on safe storage
and handling of AN-based fertilizers (Reference [1]). Bulk storage is in closed
buildings with
walls to separate different grades of product. Materials are handled by payloader
or scraper. Fertilizers are hygroscopic and thus it is recommended that the
storage atmosphere is air-conditioned.
3.2.3 Screening
Fines and lumps must be screened out from the product after bulk storage for
quality reasons. The separated over- and under-sized material is recycled back
to the NPK plant.
3.2.4 Bulk delivery
Part of the product may be supplied to customers in bulk. Bulk products are
loaded onto lorries, rail waggons or ships and there is the risk of spreading some
dust from the filling spouts to the environment. The use of a dust collecting
system in the filling spouts is recommended to avoid waste. Rainwater from
asphalt areas near the bulk loading system is collected and returned to the
recycle system in new plants.
3.2.5 Bagging
Part of the product may be bagged in 40-50kg bags and in 500-1,200kg big
bags. Bagged products are normally stored under cover.
3.2.6 Solid waste products
Waste products, such as under-size from screening, dust from filters and
spillages from bagging and bag storage, are recycled to the NPK plant by
conveyors or container vehicles.
3.2.7 Emissions
There is practically no emission to the environment from materials
handling when this is done correctly. There is no contaminated waste water and
the only emission into air is the dust collection air from the bagging plant and
screening station. The average air volume through dust filters is 40,000Nm3.h-1
and the typical dust content after the filters is 30mg.Nm-3.
4. ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
The environmental data for all the processes described relate to one
grade, (15–15–15). The grade chosen makes it possible to recycle more waste
water than a grade with a higher nitrogen content. This makes it easier to
recycle all the liquids but, in principle, the aim should be to recycle all the waste
liquids from the production of all grades. Full recycle of liquids may be difficult
in existing plants due to the applied design of scrubbing equipment and
condensate system and has to be judged against the recipient receiving the waste
liquid.
To make it easier to compare the processes a capacity of 50t.h-1 was
chosen even though the two processes (pipe reactor system and drum
granulation with ammoniation) generally have a smaller capacity than the third
mixed acid process.
4.1 Emission Sources
4.1.1 Ammonia
The majority of the ammonia emissions originate from the
ammoniation reactors. The amount depends on pH, temperature, and slurry
viscosity. Some ammonia evaporates at the inlet of the Spherodiser, in the
drying drum and in the drum with ammoniation because of high temperature
and/or drying rate.
4.1.2 Nitrogen oxides
Nitrogen oxides, NOx, are mainly NO and NO2 with some nitric acid. The main
source of NOx is the dissolution of phosphate rock in nitric acid. The nature of
the rock, for example organic matter and iron contents and the reaction
temperature, affect the amount of NOx.
The emission can be reduced by cooling the reactor and by adding urea solution
to the reactor.
4.1.3 Fluorine compounds
The fluorine compounds originate from the phosphate rock and
thus, indirectly, from the phosphoric acid. In practice, the main part of the
fluorine compounds goes through the process into the fertilizer and only a minor
part is released into the gaseous phase.
4.1.4 Aerosols
The main aerosol components are ammonium nitrate, ammonium
fluoride and ammonium chloride which are formed in the gas-phase reaction
between ammonia and acidic components as well as by sublimation from the
boiling reaction mixture.
4.1.5 Fertilizer dust
The main source of fertilizer dust is the drying drum with a
minor amount being released in the cooling drum. Dust collection is necessary
from the screens, crushers and conveyors.
4.1.6 Carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide
Drying requires hot air which is normally produced using heavy fuel
oil or natural gas.
The amounts of carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide depend on the
content of carbon and sulphur in the fuel used. Part of the sulphur dioxide will
be retained in the gas scrubbing system.
The amount of fuel needed is decreased by using the neutralising heat in
the reactors to reduce the water content of the slurry. Recirculation of the
cooling gases to the drying drum also produces economies and low pressure
process steam from other plants is often used to heat the dryer inlet air.
5. EMISSION MONITORING
5.1 Emissions into air
5.1.1 Components to be monitored
The components to be monitored are:-
– Ammonia nitrogen (NH4-N)
– Nitrous nitrogen (NOx-N)
– Fluoride (F–)
– Dust
5.1.2 Frequency of monitoring
The frequency of monitoring depends on the harmfulness of the components.
Cumulative sampling for all components and the measuring frequency are
determined by the consistency of the emission figures.
On-line monitoring at critical emission points is suggested for ammonia
nitrogen (NH4-N) and fluoride (F–). This provides the operators with direct
information about the effect of malfunctions in the process on the environment
and consequently the process conditions can be corrected more efficiently.
5.2 Emissions into Water
Most plants using BAT have very low emissions into water under normal
operating conditions. All liquid wastes are normally recycled into the process.
There may, however be an overall site requirement for monitoring the effluent
flow.
6. MAJOR HAZARDS
This chapter covers the following main hazards:-
– Slurry pump explosions
– Slurry decompositions
– Product decompositions

The hazards involved in manufacturing, transport and storage of NPK fertilizers

depend on the formulation.
The IFA/EFMA “Handbook for the Safe Storage of Ammonium Nitrate Based
Fertilizers” gives details of the potential hazards (Reference [1]).
6.1 Slurry Pump Explosions
The main reasons for pump explosions are:-
– No (or insufficient) flow through the pump
– Incorrect design and maintenance practices
Special precautions must be taken in design and operational management to
avoid slurry
pump explosions.
6.2 Slurry Decomposition (reactor processes)
The main reasons for slurry decompositions are:-
– Low pH
– Incorrect or contaminated raw materials
– Too high temperature
6.3 Product Decomposition
The risk of decomposition and the extent and possible consequences depend
entirely on
the hazardous properties of the product.
6.3.1 During manufacturing
The main reasons for product decomposition during manufacturing are:-
– Overheating of the product
– During drying
– Through an external heat source
– Through friction
– Low pH
– Contamination of the formulation with elements which favour decomposition
The following precautions must be taken:-
6.3.1.1 Design equipment
– Avoid build–up on the inlet vanes in the dryer
– Uniform temperature profile of the air inlet (no hot spots) to be guaranteed
6.3.1.2 Operational management
The hazardous properties of each formulation must be known:-
– Self-sustaining decomposition or not (trough test)
– Decomposition temperature (stationary oven test)
Note: Both the above tests can be found in Reference [2].
The process control and safety instructions must take into consideration:-
– pH control
– Alarms and interlocks on all process parameters that by deviation may lead to
overheating of the product
– Documented control of the raw materials and safety precautions
– Possibility of a self-sustaining decomposition during production
– Emergency procedures
6.3.2 During transport and storage
Decomposition during storage represents the biggest hazard, bearing in mind
the large quantities of fertilizer involved.
The main reasons for decomposition are:-
– Initiation by an external heat source
– Contamination by organics and/or other materials causing initiation through
heating by chemical reactions
7. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY
The fertilizer plants described in this Booklet pose some chemical and physical
risks to personal health. The main chemicals which must be considered for
occupational health & safety include:-
– Acids: Nitric acid, phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid
– Gases: Ammonia, nitrogen oxides and compounds of fluorine, chlorine and
sulphur (see threshold limit values in Reference [3])
– Dust: NPK dust is regarded as inert
– Hot salt melts: Can cause severe burning on contact
– There are special safety regulations for work with acids or ammonia
Decomposition may occur when fertilizer or fertilizer slurry containing
ammonium nitrate is heated above a certain temperature, for certain periods of
time. Large quantities of toxic gases may be evolved and special precautions
should be taken against these gases because they can cause lung oedema a long
time after exposure.
REFERENCE
1. Handbook for Safe Storage of Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizers. Paris:
International Fertiliser Industry Association (IFA) and European Fertilizer
Manufacturers Association (EFMA), 1992, 52 p.
2. Selected Tests Concerning the Safety Aspects of Fertilizers, 2nd edition. Paris:
International Fertiliser Industry Association (IFA) and European Fertilizer
Manufacturers Association (EFMA), 1992, 52 p.
3. Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological
Exposure Indices, 1993-1994. American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienists (ACGIH). Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH. – ISBN 1–882417–03–8.