Sophisticated control of phosphates production is now possible thanks to the availability of real-time process analysers. The emergence of laboratory robots is also improving process efficiency and delivering cost savings.
Landus has invested $15 million in a 75,000 square foot fertilizer manufacturing and distribution plant in Boone, Iowa. The project was backed by a $5 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture’s Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP).
Fertiberia’s Puertollano green hydrogen plant was officially inaugurated by Spain’s King Felipe VI in May 2023. The 20MW capacity unit will produce up to 3,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually.
Based on 16 years of experience, Muhammad Nabeel Shakir of Fatima Fertilizer Company outlines a methodology to achieve optimum performance of the PGM catalyst and catchment system in nitric acid plants.
As the industry pushes towards more sustainable practices, ammonia is emerging as a promising alternative fuel for ships. Effective management of by-product NOx, NH3 and N2 O emissions from the combustion of ammonia is crucial to the success of ammonia as an alternative fuel. A new catalyst has been developed by Enercat to treat these three molecules in one bed. Jean-Rémi Stephany and Emmanuel Rohart of Enercat – Alsys Group report on this new technology which has been developed in marine ammonia combustion engine conditions.
Casale’s fluid bed granulation tail gas treatment for nitrogen-based fertilizer employs double temperature scrubbing technology, which handles the granulator exhaust air separately from the cooler exhaust air. The technology can combine dust removal with ammonia abatement in the same installation to meet strict tail gas limitations such as 10 mg/Nm3 for dust and 10 mg/Nm3 for ammonia. Ken Monstrey of Casale explains the key features of the Casale scrubbing technology.
IPCO has expanded its Rotoform range with the high yield XG model for granulation of suspensions. Designed for applications such as sulphur bentonite and urea mixes as well as NPK and other fertilizers, this new Rotoform model can convert solid-containing product melts into consistent, high quality pastilles from 2-4 mm diameter.
This year will be the 40th Sulphur – now Sulphur + Sulphuric Acid – Conference to be held. From its beginnings in Canada to this year’s meeting at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Barcelona, much has changed, but its mission – to be an essential annual forum for the global sulphur and acid community – remains the same.
Shell Deutschland has taken a final investment decision (FID) to progress REFHYNE II, a 100 MW renewable proton-exchange membrane (PEM) hydrogen electrolyser at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland in Germany. Using renewable electricity, REFHYNE II is expected to produce up to 44 t/d of renewable hydrogen to partially decarbonise site operations. The electrolyser is scheduled to begin operating in 2027. Renewable hydrogen from REFHYNE II will be used at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park to produce energy products such as transport fuels with a lower carbon intensity. Using renewable hydrogen at Shell Rheinland will help to further reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions at the facility. In the longer term, renewable hydrogen from REFHYNE II could be directly supplied to help lower industrial emissions in the region as customer demand evolves.
In the last two years there have been significant changes to the level and location of sulphur inventory, which has caused swings in short-term supply availability. Inventory plays a necessary role in balancing the sulphur market but exactly when, where, how, and why inventory enters the market can trigger a diverse range of price responses. In this insight article, CRU’s Peter Harrisson looks at how inventory change influences sulphur availability and pricing.