Potash dryers are an integral step in many potash processing operations. Drying, particularly in a rotary dryer, offers many benefits to the end potash product. This presentation goes over the basics of drying potash, the benefits it has to offer, as well as some of the potash dryer options available.

1. Potash
Experts in process design and material
processing for over 60 years.
Drying
A Look at

2. Drying is a critical component in
potash processing, whether
potash is being processed via
compaction granulation, or
pelletization.

3. Benefits of
Drying Potash

4. Reduced Moisture:
Drying reduces moisture, decreasing
the opportunity for potash to clump
during processing.

5. Less Attrition:
Attrition occurs when rough granule
edges rub against each other,
breaking off into fines. Drying rounds
and polishes granules, lessening the
ability for attrition to occur.

6. Robust Granules:
Drying flashes off moisture, creating a
hardened granule surface.

7. Drying in
Compaction

8. Compaction granulation is the
most common method for turning
mined potash into a usable
fertilizer product.

9. Compaction relies on pressure to press
potash fines into a form, which is then
broken up into granules. This is carried out
using a roll compactor.

10. Compaction is a dry process, and
therefore does not always require a
drying step.

11. Compaction is a dry process, and
therefore does not always require a
drying step.
However, potash granules are
often wetted and dried to fill in
surface cracks on granules,
reducing the opportunity for
attrition.

12. Both rotary dryers and fluid bed dryers are a
suitable choice for this objective, with rotary
dryers being a more robust choice.

13. Drying in
Pelletization

14. Pelletization relies on the use of a binder
and disc pelletizer to roll potash fines into a
premium pellet product.

15. Because this process is a wet
process, a drying step is required.

16. Because this process is a wet
process, a drying step is required.
Again, both rotary dryers and fluid
bed dryers are suitable options.

17. Choosing A Potash Dryer:
Rotary Dryer or
Fluid Bed Dryer?

18. In drying potash, the choice often
comes down to a rotary dryer or
fluid bed dryer.

19. Rotary dryers
are robust, and valued for their reliability,
high throughput capacities, and their ability
to accept variability in feedstock.

20. Fluid bed dryers
have a smaller footprint than rotary dryers,
making them a good choice for small
processing facilities. However, they do not
accept variance in feedstock, which can
be a problem.

21. Considerations
In Drying Potash

22. Corrosion:
Stainless steel is often used at the
front end of a rotary dryer in order
to prevent corrosion from potash’s
abrasive nature.

23. Clumping:
Rotary dryers are often fit with
knocking systems to mitigate
clumping issues during drying.

24. Clumping:
Rotary dryers are often fit with
knocking systems to mitigate
clumping issues during drying.
Screw conveyors can also be
used in this effort.

25. Conclusion:
Drying potash offers many benefits and
plays a vital role in creating a quality potash
product, whether the potash is being
processed via compaction granulation or
pelletization.

26. v
FEECO
has been working with potash for over 60
years, providing testing, process design
and development, and manufacturing of
potash processing equipment, including
heavy-duty rotary dryers.

27. Want to learn more?
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