Material testing is a critical component in the success of many phosphate processing operations, whether a producer is looking to create a new product, improve an existing process, or otherwise. This presentation looks at why testing is important, and what types of testing are available in the FEECO Innovation Center, as well as how the testing process works.

1. Innovation Center
Experts in process design and material
processing for over 65 years.
Phosphates
Testing
in the

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. For this reason, phosphate rock is processed
into a variety of products, namely, animal
feeds and fertilizers.

4. Despite widespread use, however, testing
remains a critical step in many phosphate
processing operations, from animal feed to
fertilizers.

5. Why Testing
Is Important

6. There are many reasons why testing is both
necessary and desirable when working with
phosphates.

7. There are many reasons why testing is both
necessary and desirable when working with
phosphates.
Common reasons for testing include:

8. To Create a New Product or Process
New products are constantly being
developed within the phosphates
industry.

9. To Create a New Product or Process
New products are constantly being
developed within the phosphates
industry.
From new blends, to products aimed
at better nutrition, and even new
consumer products, phosphates
remain an industry full of
development.

10. To Improve an Existing Product
This is perhaps the most common
reason for testing; when a product
isn’t performing as well as it could, or
a new market opens up, producers
are looking to enhance their product
in some way.

11. To Improve an Existing Product
This is perhaps the most common
reason for testing; when a product
isn’t performing as well as it could, or
a new market opens up, producers
are looking to enhance their product
in some way.
This might include adjusting the blend
or formulation, or altering physical
characteristics of the product.

12. To Improve an Existing Process
Producers are also frequently looking
to improve their existing process. This
may be to troubleshoot an inefficient
process, add to the process, or to test
a new way of carrying out the
process.

13. In all cases, testing is key to working out
process variables, and reaching an
optimal solution.

14. Types of Tests
Available

15. The type of tests available depends largely
on the capability of the test facility.

16. The type of tests available depends largely
on the capability of the test facility.
The following information is specific to the
offerings of the FEECO Innovation Center.

17. Agglomeration
Both non-pressure and pressure
agglomeration can be tested.

18. Agglomeration
Both non-pressure and pressure
agglomeration can be tested.
A variety of methods and equipment
are available for testing, from single
pieces of equipment, to a continuous
process loop.

19. Agglomeration testing of phosphates
might include testing the feasibility of
granulating ground ore fines, the
creation of a new fertilizer or animal feed
product, or even the blending of
phosphates with other materials.

20. Granulation
Both animal feed and fertilizer
granulation can be tested in the FEECO
Innovation Center.

21. Granulation
Both animal feed and fertilizer
granulation can be tested in the FEECO
Innovation Center.
The Innovation Center is equipped to
handle the use of phosphoric acid,
sulfuric acid, and ammonia.

22. Granulation
Both animal feed and fertilizer
granulation can be tested in the FEECO
Innovation Center.
The Innovation Center is equipped to
handle the use of phosphoric acid,
sulfuric acid, and ammonia.
Both heated and non-heated phosphoric
acids and gases can be
accommodated.

23. Thermal Testing
Thermal testing for kilns and dryers is
available.

24. Thermal Testing
Thermal testing for kilns and dryers is
available.
The drying of phosphate ore or other
products can be tested to design an
optimal drying system.

25. Thermal Testing
Thermal testing for kilns and dryers is
available.
The drying of phosphate ore or other
products can be tested to design an
optimal drying system.
Similarly, high temperature applications,
such as the upgrading of phosphate ore,
can also be tested.

26. In both scenarios, time and temperature
profiles can be developed, and emissions
data can be collected for the unique
sample at hand.

27. In both scenarios, time and temperature
profiles can be developed, and emissions
data can be collected for the unique
sample at hand.
Various process data points can be
gathered to aid in the design of a
commercial size unit.

28. How Testing
Works

29. Depending on what a producer already
knows about their intended process/
product, and what information they are
looking to gain, testing generally starts at
batch scale.

30. Batch Scale Testing
In batch scale testing, small samples
are tested to assess the feasibility of the
intended goals, and to gather initial
data points.

31. Batch Scale Testing
In batch scale testing, small samples
are tested to assess the feasibility of the
intended goals, and to gather initial
data points.
Once batch testing has been successful,
continuous, pilot scale testing can begin.

32. Pilot Scale Testing
Pilot scale testing is a more in-depth
testing process, where the material is
tested as part of a continuous
process loop.

33. Pilot Scale Testing
Pilot scale testing is a more in-depth
testing process, where the material is
tested as part of a continuous
process loop.
This allows the equipment setup and
parameters for continuous production in
an industrial setting to be determined
and fine-tuned.

34. Advantages to
Testing with FEECO

35. Testing phosphates in the FEECO Innovation
Center offers many advantages to
producers…

36. Phosphates Expertise
FEECO has a long history in the fertilizer
and agriculture industries; we’ve been
working with phosphates since 1951,
giving us a valuable familiarity with the
unique challenges that phosphates
producers face and a solid background
in the creation of various phosphate
products and fertilizer blends.

37. Flexibility
The FEECO Innovation Center can
accommodate nearly any phosphate
testing process, be it a common process,
or a novel one.

38. Flexibility
The FEECO Innovation Center can
accommodate nearly any phosphate
testing process, be it a common process,
or a novel one.
We can work with you to take your
project from idea to full-scale production.

39. Custom Equipment
In addition to our process design and
optimization capabilities, we also offer
custom equipment manufacturing.

40. Custom Equipment
In addition to our process design and
optimization capabilities, we also offer
custom equipment manufacturing.
This means that we can work with you to
develop a process that meets your goals,
and then manufacture the equipment to
get the job done.

41. Automation & Data Collection
FEECO has partnered with Rockwell
Automation to bring our customers the
best in automation control and reporting
capabilities, both as a service in the
Innovation Center, and as part of a
system purchase.

42. Our automation system collects and
trends various data points during testing,
giving customers complete transparency
of their process.

43. Our automation system collects and
trends various data points during testing,
giving customers complete transparency
of their process.
Desired data points can be trended and
reported on, allowing for unmatched
reporting capabilities.

44. Conclusion
Within the phosphates industry, testing
remains a valuable tool in developing new
processes and products, as well as
optimizing existing ones.

45. Conclusion
Within the phosphates industry, testing
remains a valuable tool in developing new
processes and products, as well as
optimizing existing ones.
The FEECO Innovation Center can
accommodate a variety of phosphate
products, and offers unparalleled testing
capabilities.

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

47. Want to learn more?
Download our
Phosphates Processing
Handbook.
Phosphates Processing Handbook
Processing Techniques
Equipment
Considerations
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