[ Fertiliser Production ]
[ Fertiliser Production ]
Fortunately , agitators are simple to replace so materials with average lifetimes are acceptable . Hence alloys such as 316 , 317 and 904L can be considered , unless the conditions are particularly aggressive . The authors add that rubber-coated austenitic stainless steel has been used but deemed to be ineffective due to high wear rates which required frequent repairs . Filtration is another area for attention . Whilst temperatures in this area are low , challenges include high chloride concentrations , erosion , the presence of deposits , stagnant solutions and high mechanical loading . The fact that filtration units are large and expensive to replace therefore promotes the use of materials with longer lifetimes . Hence grades such as 316L and 317L are commonly used , with duplex stainless steels such as 2205 and alloy 28 frequent selections for plants with even higher severity .
Corrosivity The complexity and variation in materials selection as discussed by Fashu and Trabadelo are also stressed by the Nickel Institute in their guide to alloy selection in the WPA process ( 3 ) . They note for example that during phosphate rock digestion , the presence of impurities , such as fluorides and chlorides , can significantly increase corrosivity . Oxidizing compounds may also be present . So whilst alloys such as chromium-containing nickel alloys , austenitic stainless steels , and duplex stainless steels may be considered for general phosphoric acid systems , critical areas of the wet-process ( where chloride contamination significantly increases corrosion of Type 316L stainless steel )
From rock to fertilizer
A two-minute video that nicely overviews how phosphate rock is mined , refined and converted into fertiliser is available on YouTube , courtesy of Nutrien ’ s White Springs , Florida phosphate site . https :// www . youtube . com / watch ? v = L5Ysw7b40tE
could require more highly alloyed stainless and nickel-rich alloys . Meanwhile , specialized steel mills such as Industeel offer dedicated products for use in challenging areas such as concentrated acids ( 4 ) . For example , UR™ 32615 ( Cr 17 %, Ni 19.5 %, Mo 0.4 %, Si 5 %) has been developed to provide a superior corrosion resistance in highly concentrated hot sulphuric acid . With 5 % silicon to provide an enhanced corrosion resistance in sulfuric acid , this grade is understood to have good mechanical properties , good weldability and also to be resistant in concentrated nitric acid .
Ma ’ aden ’ s investments Turning back to the original press release , this referred to the signing of three construction agreements
worth over USD 922 million by Saudi Arabian Mining ( Ma ’ aden ) for its third phosphate fertilizer project in Wa ’ ad Al Shamal and Ras Al Khair . The agreements include a USD 363 million contract with China based Sinopec Nanjing Engineering & Construction for acid production units and related infrastructure at Wa ’ ad Al Shamal . A USD 234 million agreement has been reached with Turkey ’ s Tekfen Construction for construction of a beneficiation plant at Wa ’ ad Al Shamal . And finally , a USD 325 million contract is in place with the China National Chemical Engineering Company for general construction works at the Ras Al Khair facility . Ma ’ aden first announced its third project for manufacturing phosphate fertilizers back in 2016 , estimating
Recent phosphate project announcements
January 2025 : First Phosphate announces filing of PEA Technical Report for the Bégin-Lamarche Phosphate Project in Quebec , Canada . The report provides a potentially viable case for developing the property by open pit mining . The project would produce an annual average of 900,000 tonnes of beneficiated phosphate concentrate at 40 % P2O5 content and 380,000 tonnes of magnetite at 92 % Fe2O3 content over a 23-year mine life .
January 2025 : several news outlets report that Asia-Potash has plans to create a phosphate fertilizer complex in Egypt . Asia-Potash could well invest up to USD 10 billion , with an initial phase expenditure of USD 1.6 billion for the annual exploration and extraction of two million tonnes of phosphate rock . Following conversion , all phosphate fertilizers to be exported to neighbouring markets .
December 2024 : Minbos signs a civil construction contract for the Cabinda Phosphate Fertilizer Plant in Angola . This will advance the installation of the fertilizer plant ( currently in storage ) which includes a phosphate ore storage area , production facility , rotary dryer , dust collection system and a product storage area .
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