Pilot plant long-term test of particulate matter removal from the air stream emerging from granulated fertilizers production (stationary source)

Abstract

In this paper, the results of the 34 day test of particulate matter (PM) removal from air stream emerging from granulated fertilizers production (NPK and mixed ammonium sulphate fertilizers) are presented. Operators of the plant wanted to replace older wet scrubber preferably with filter bags which can provide waste less operation of the technology, because separated PM can be reintroduced to the production. Because of the assumption of the sticky and problematic deposits formation on the filter bags that could increase excessively the pressure loss, test on the pilot unit with 15 filter bags with pulse-jet bags cleaning was carried out. During the test, various technological conditions were tested. Temperatures, stream humidity, pressure loss of bags and inlet and outlet PM concentrations were monitored. It was found that dry cleaning of this air stream is problematic as expected, but feasible. Filter bags were absorbing considerable amounts of water from the dust stream (fertilizers are granulated by steam and water). This fact leads to hard removable deposit formation and increased pressure loss, but if the stream was preheated by a small natural gas burner, the deposition creation was reduced. According to results of the long term test, recommendations for the technological conditions for full scale bag filter were provided for given type of technology and production.