Thermodynamic and Exergetic Analysis of the Coolers for Mineral Fertilizers

The importance of the granule cooling technique in producing mineral granulated fertilizers is determined. Literature data on the main types of convective coolers used in the technology of granular mineral fertilizers are given. It is noted that the presented devices have various performance characteristics, including cooling efficiency and energy consumption. It is emphasized that one can perform thermodynamic and exergy analyses when determining the optimal parameters. The technique of this analysis is presented, namely the equation for determining the main indicators of the analysis: cooling coefficient (or thermal efficiency) and exergetic efficiency. Calculation results of thermodynamic and exergetic indicators of convective coolers of the main types: drum, fluidized bed, and gravity shelf coolers are presented. Exergy analysis of the main technological stages of ammoniated superphosphate production was carried out. The results of thermodynamic and exergy analysis prove the advantages of using a gravity shelf cooler, characterized by the lowest exergy losses and the highest efficiency.