Maintenance is a key component in any industrial processing operation, but is perhaps especially important when working with phosphates, a material that presents unique and varying challenges to processors. This presentation gives an overview of some of the key maintenance considerations to uphold process efficiency and prolong the life of phosphate processing equipment.

1. Experts in process design and material
processing for over 65 years.
Phosphates Operation
Maintaining Your

2. Phosphorus is essential to all life on Earth. Its
life-giving properties are key to a variety of
cellular and biological processes that allow
plants, animals, and even humans to grow
strong and healthy.

3. As with any industrial operation,
maintenance is key to prolonging
equipment life and upholding process
efficiency.

4. As with any industrial operation,
maintenance is key to prolonging
equipment life and upholding process
efficiency.
While not an exhaustive list, the following
offers some common considerations for
maintaining a phosphates processing
operation.

5. Equipment
Preparation

6. The first step in maintaining your phosphates
processing operation starts before
processing even begins: selecting the right
equipment.

7. Phosphates can offer many unique and
varying challenges. For this reason,
equipment should be designed around
the material to be processed.

8. Phosphates can offer many unique and
varying challenges. For this reason,
equipment should be designed around
the material to be processed.
Modifications may be required to
ensure equipment can withstand the
rigors of processing phosphates.

9. Phosphates can offer many unique and
varying challenges. For this reason,
equipment should be designed around
the material to be processed.
Modifications may be required to
ensure equipment can withstand the
rigors of processing phosphates.
This might include choosing corrosion-
resistant materials, or reinforcing high-
wear areas, or other modifications.

10. Working with an equipment manufacturer
that is familiar with the characteristics of
phosphates and the intended product will
help to ensure that equipment is designed
with these considerations in mind.

11. In addition to selecting the appropriate
equipment, there are a variety of things that
can be done to maintain operational
efficiency and prolong equipment life...

12. Reduce
Buildup

13. One of the main concerns when
working with phosphates, especially in
the form of animal feed or fertilizer, is
reducing buildup.

14. One of the main concerns when
working with phosphates, especially in
the form of animal feed or fertilizer, is
reducing buildup.
Phosphates are often corrosive in
nature. Allowing material to build up
and sit on metal will result in corrosion of
the metal.

15. This is especially true of wet or damp
material, because moisture activates
the corrosion process.

16. This is especially true of wet or damp
material, because moisture activates
the corrosion process.
And while dry phosphates alone are not
likely to cause corrosion, phosphates
are a hygroscopic material, meaning
they absorb moisture from the air.

17. Over time, dry material that has been
allowed to sit can pick up enough
moisture to cause corrosion.

18. Over time, dry material that has been
allowed to sit can pick up enough
moisture to cause corrosion.
For this reason, seasonal operations
should be especially careful, ensuring
equipment is thoroughly cleaned prior
to off-season.

19. Materials of construction can also be
used to reduce the potential for
buildup. For example, polished stainless
steel helps to prevent buildup, because
material isn’t as likely to stick to it.

20. Materials of construction can also be
used to reduce the potential for
buildup. For example, polished stainless
steel helps to prevent buildup, because
material isn’t as likely to stick to it.
Furthermore, fully welding all
components on equipment also aids in
this effort; partial welds allow for
material to build up in cracks, causing
corrosion over time.

21. Routine Maintenance
Inspections

22. Equipment should be regularly inspected
and maintained as instructed by the original
equipment manufacturer.

23. Routine inspections are an easy and
cost-effective way to catch potential
problems before they have a chance
to turn serious.

24. Routine inspections are an easy and
cost-effective way to catch potential
problems before they have a chance
to turn serious.
All operators and maintenance
personnel should be trained and
familiar with the process and
equipment.

25. Inspections should be conducted
regularly to check for any
abnormalities, which should be
reported and addressed immediately.

26. Things to check for include:

27. Things to check for include:
Visual Abnormalities – such as pitting or
wear on tire or trunnion surfaces of rotary
drums, belt tearing on conveyors, etc.

28. Things to check for include:
Visual Abnormalities – such as pitting or
wear on tire or trunnion surfaces of rotary
drums, belt tearing on conveyors, etc.
Auditory Abnormalities – such as chatter
or other unusual sounds

29. Things to check for include:
Visual Abnormalities – such as pitting or
wear on tire or trunnion surfaces of rotary
drums, belt tearing on conveyors, etc.
Auditory Abnormalities – such as chatter
or other unusual sounds
Other irregularities – such as an unusual
odor or unexplained process inefficiency

30. In addition to on-site personnel routinely
inspecting equipment, annual inspections
conducted by the original equipment
manufacturer are also a valuable
maintenance tool.

31. Service technicians are highly
knowledgeable in the operation of your
equipment and where potential for
trouble exists.

32. Service technicians are highly
knowledgeable in the operation of your
equipment and where potential for
trouble exists.
Depending on the manufacturer, service
technicians will likely provide a detailed
report on the equipment’s overall health,
including immediate concerns to address,
as well as things to keep an eye on.

33. Equipment
Maintenance

34. In addition to general maintenance
considerations, such as reducing buildup
and performing regular inspections, some
phosphate processing equipment is likely to
require routine maintenance.

35. In addition to general maintenance
considerations, such as reducing buildup
and performing regular inspections, some
phosphate processing equipment is likely to
require routine maintenance.
Routine maintenance procedures should be
conducted as instructed by the original
equipment manufacturer.

36. Conclusion
Following proper maintenance procedures
is a key component in maintaining process
efficiency and prolonging the life of your
phosphate processing equipment.

37. Selecting the right equipment, reducing
buildup, routine inspections, and following
maintenance procedures as directed by
the original equipment manufacturer will
help to keep your operation running its best
for years to come.

38. has been working with phosphates for over 65
years, providing testing services, process
design and development, and custom
phosphate processing equipment.

39. Want to learn more?
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Phosphates Processing
Handbook.
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