Continuous Bucket Elevators: Conveying Potash

Potash is a common constituent of many products. Because of its potassium content, potash is a key ingredient used in the manufacture of fertilizers. Potash is also important for agriculture because it improves the water retention, yield, nutrient value, taste, color, texture and disease resistance of food crops. Other industrial uses of potash include aluminum recycling, alkali production, metal electroplating, steel heat treating, animal feed production, water treatment, and as a catalyst in the manufacture of synthetic rubber. In this blog, we look at how continuous bucket elevators can be used in processes involving the conveying of potash compounds.

“Potash” is the common name given to a potassium-rich salt that is mined from underground deposits. Potash encompasses a wide group of minerals and chemicals that contain potassium (K). The compound, Potassium Chloride (KCl), is perhaps the most widely used compound in the global potash market.

CONVEYING POTASH: CHALLENGES

Potash is mildly abrasive and corrosive, making it somewhat difficult to handle and convey. In addition, potash fines can deposit or accumulate in a conveyor, causing failure and downtime. Due to its abrasive and corrosive nature, facilities which process or use potash compounds should use conveying equipment which is designed and built for severe service applications. This type of equipment will use heavy-duty constructions and materials which are designed to handle the increased wear and corrosion associated with conveying potash.

CONVEYING POTASH: TIPTRAK™ CONTINUOUS BUCKET ELEVATORS FROM UNITRAK

TipTrak™ continuous bucket elevators from UniTrak are an excellent way to successfully handle and convey potash compounds. Customized for severe service applications, TipTrak™ units have the following advantages for potash handling:

• Corrosion-resistant steels and components. TipTrak™ units customized for potash processing are constructed from corrosion-resistant stainless steel. Drive assemblies use components and parts that are especially selected for their resistance to corrosion.
• Corrosion and wear-resistant buckets and beltchains. Potash that is treated with amines can severely degrade standard rubber compounds. For potash processing, TipTrak™ units are supplied with stainless steel aircraft cable-reinforced rubber beltchains which use a formulation especially designed to resist degradation. In addition, units are supplied with wear-resistant buckets which can withstand the abrasive effects of conveying potash.
• Spillage-free operation. The fully interlocking buckets of TipTrak™ elevators eliminate material spillage and greatly reduce the accumulation of fines.
• Easy cleaning. TipTrak™ PEC (fully enclosed) and Monocoque (fully sealed) units can be supplied with access panels and cleanout drawers which enable ready access to the elevator interior for cleaning. In addition, optional Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems are available for easy washdown and cleaning.

UniTrak has been supplying TipTrak™ continuous bucket elevators to the global marketplace since 1969. Available in a variety of construction styles, configurations, and capacities, TipTrak™ continuous bucket elevators are a proven way to move material gently and without spillage. To find out more about how TipTrak™ continuous bucket elevators can help your facility to convey potash compounds, please contact our sales team directly.