Some 1,160 delegates from 475 companies and 76 countries gathered in Vienna, Austria, for the 89th International Fertilizer Association (IFA) Annual Conference, 30 May – 1 June 2022. We report on the main highlights of this three-day flagship event.
New research findings strongly suggest that iodine behaves as a plant nutrient. SQM International has been quick to follow up on this discovery by launching a new speciality iodine fertilizer for fertigated crops.
The refurbishment and modernisation of fertilizer plants offers the opportunity to reduce operating costs, raise production capacity, improve energy efficiency and cut emissions.
The phosphate fertilizer industry is turning to production methods that are able to consume low-grade phosphate rock and/ or generate pure gypsum as a by-product. Gypsum-free processes, and technologies that capture phosphorus from waste streams, are also on the rise.
E. Almeida and B. Ferraro of Clark Solutions discuss how regular monitoring by simple testing of the towers in sulphuric acid plants can improve the reliability and lifespan of the plant.
Condensate formation in sulphuric acid plants can cause severe corrosion problems leading to high maintenance and plant downtime. Santhosh S . of Metso Outotec discusses the importance of carrying out regular monitoring and maintaining accurate and detailed data about condensate to increase equipment life and avoid downtime. Different sources of condensate formation in the plant are discussed as well as the typical locations in the plant where the condensates end up.
Liquid fertilizers are emerging as a high growth, multibillion dollar market. Their growing use is linked to trends such as no-till farming and the greater adoption of precision agriculture. Leading producers and products are highlighted.
A new fully automated process has been developed that combines real time H2 S readings from an H2 S analyser and Q2 Technologies’ proprietary scavenger chemistry to treat high H2 S crude oil on demand. The process provides an efficient and effective way to administer the chemical product to avoid overtreating or undertreating. In some cases, the end user is seeing greater than 50% savings. It is a unique confluence of technology including IoT, advanced chemistry, and oil and gas personnel incentivised to demonstrate continuous improvement.
Maire Tecnimont has announced the resignation of Pierroberto Folgiero from the positions of Director, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, effective from May 15, 2022. Interim appointments to senior positions are subject to article 2386 of the Italian Civil Code, with a list drawn up at the time of appointment. However, with designated successor Alessandra Conte unwilling to accept the position, it has passed to Alessandro Bernini, previously Group Chief Financial Officer of the company since 2013, who will now also become the new Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Maire Tecnimont. The company board has also conferred on Bernini executive powers for the management and coordination of the Group's activities. The resolutions will be effective from 15 May 2022. Alessandro Bernini will remain in office, according to the law, until the next shareholders' meeting of the Company.
This case study refers to the carbamate condensers and separators in the urea recirculation and hydrolyser desorber section of a urea plant, operating under normal operation at 0.3 MPa and 75°C. After 48,000 hours of operation, during the turnaround of the urea plant, the diaphragm type instruments were sent to the original equipment manufacturer for inspection and refurbishment. In addition to damage of the diaphragm, crevice corrosion was found in the gasket area (see picture) posing a health and safety risk .