Investigation of flow dynamics of phosphate fertilizer production reactors using radiotracer technique

H Ben Abdelouahed; H J Pant; J Thereska; N E Abbes; N Reguigui

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.09.015

Investigation of flow dynamics of phosphate fertilizer production reactors using radiotracer technique

Appl Radiat Isot. 2018 Dec:142:143-150. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.09.015. Epub 2018 Sep 29.

Authors

H Ben Abdelouahed¹, H J Pant², J Thereska³, N E Abbes⁴, N Reguigui¹

Affiliations

¹ National Centre of Nuclear Sciences and Technologies (CNSTN), 2020 Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.
² Isotope and Radiation Application Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India. Electronic address: hjpant@barc.gov.in.
³ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria.
⁴ Groupe Chimique Tunisien (GCT), Direction de Recherches, Usine de DAP, BP 72, Gabes 6000, Tunisia.

PMID: 30296656
DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.09.015

Abstract

Radiotracer investigations were carried out in two identical phosphoric acid production reactors and a triple super phosphate (TSP) production reactor in three different plants in Tunisia. The main objective of the study was to investigate and compare their flow behavior and identify flow abnormalities, if any. Residence time distribution (RTD) of the process material (ore pulp) was measured in the three reactors using Iodine-131. The measured RTDs were treated and analyzed to obtain flow parameters such as the mean residence time (MRT), dead volume, and extent of bypassing. The treated RTD curves were modeled using a suitable mathematical model, and the values of the parameters were obtained. The results of the investigations were used to evaluate and compare the flow performance of the reactors, quantify the degree of mixing, and visualize the prevailing flow patterns. The results of the investigations are expected to be used to make necessary modifications to enhance the efficiency and optimize the performance of the reactors or the production process.

Keywords: Bypassing and tanks-in-series model; Dead volume; Iodine-131; Mean residence time; Phosphoric acid; Radiotracer; Residence time distribution; SIAPE process; Triple superphosphate.